What is the factory way of routing and securing the headlight harness? I have had the car disassembled for so long I honestly have no recollection of how it was ran or secured to the body...

 

The harness is run in a channel on top of the inner wheelhouse. It’s held in place with plastic clips that snap in place along the channel.

 

How about the front of the car along the core support from the driver side to the passenger? Along the top, bottom, etc

 

The Harness runs along the back of the top of the core support under the Radiator support ,with the harness clips plugged in the holes it then runs under the support above the back of the headlights and the clips plugged from the back side
Here are a couple of pictures where you can see parts of the harness and its location (not the greatest pictures of the Harness specifically) In the first picture you can see the harness running along the back of the Core support and once it gets past the Condenser/Radiator it drops down and under the support and the clips plug from the inside out
the second picture you can make out a bit of the harness and one of the clip points above the Battery
this is from a 72 but 71 should be the same

 

This is a TON of help. THANK! YOU!

 

If you need a more detailed picture let me know and I will take some for you

 

1971 Factory Assembly Manual

 

This is awesome, where can I find a copy of this manual?

 

Any of the Oldsmobile Parts suppliers sell them or just look on Ebay under 1971 Oldsmobile cutlass assembly Manual

 

Is this the correct strap?

https://www.opgi.com/ignition-electr...h-c241066.html

 

I believe that strap is to contain the wire loom which runs down the valve cover on the driver side. Note the strap attaches to the metal bracket. The metal bracket is attached via a valve cover bolt, then the strap is inserted into the metal bracket. See Figure 3 contained on Page 386 of the image I posted (above) - Post #7. I believe the OPGI strap is a universal strap. The original strap (and one you may obtain from perhaps another vendor) has additional holes for securing additional wires (based upon the sizing of the wires, gauge wires, etc.) as the size of the wire loom itself would increase in diameter which would run along the valve cover based upon RPO engine, accessories, etc. It will certainly work, but I do believe it is not of the OEM styling. The harness which runs under the radiator shroud is contained via clips rather than straps.

 

Depending on how 'authentic' you intend to be (are you planning on having your car officially judged?), you can also use braided chrome, braided aluminum or plastic wire loom material and w/ the use of basic clips attached to the valve cover bolts you can secure the wire loom very nicely with nothing more than black plastic straps found at any hardware store. Whatever you choose to employ, it's always nice to view a tidy organized engine compartment/bay.

 

The "correct" straps for this application are white in color and can be purchased from Inline Tube or Parts Place and probably others as well. Be a little careful with OPGI. They have a the largest assortment of parts out there but are also the most expensive - sometimes by a mile. Shop around before you buy.

 

AMK Products Inc. is one of the best vendors for reproduction Hardware, once you have your Assembly manual all of the part numbers for clips screws nuts bolts are in there
AMK does not carry everything for Olds but they do have most of what you would need
they sell in Bulk or Kits so the prices are very reasonable compared to purchasing from other vendors
Downside is they have a $40.00 Min. on orders IIRC
Check out their online Catalog at
www.amkproducts.com

 

Don't get confused, If you have any of the old straps or any hardware you can match it up with the Full size Images in the AMK catalog
I know you are asking about 1971 model Per-say and I have provided pictures of a 72 But research has shown that 71-72 were mostly identical on most of the clips,straps and hardware
My Original straps on my 72 were Black, all of the Supply houses have them listed as 71-72 and they are also black never seen a white one,unless he is referring to the white clips that are used with the Black wiring tape which was not used on the Headlight harness
No offence to rand5204