We took the 71 out for the first ride of the year today and after about 5 miles I saw smoke rolling out of the hood and it stunk. The car shut off and we coasted to a stop. I got the hood open and the harness was on fire. Luckily it didn't hurt the hood or the red inner fender.

Guess what I need... I need the harness that attaches to the firewall that goes to the horn relay, starter, and alternator for an internal voltage regulator type alternator. But I'll take either one.
Thanks,
Dave

 

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...&a=FR139-15865

Try this

 

Wow that sucks I was just in the hood today and drove by . kids got spring break so grandma took them.You looking for a new one or used, Ineed to get one at some point too.

 

Ouch! Glad it was contained. That's bad enough!

 

Somehow I doubt that will be what he needs.
Try M&H wiring.
These are the part numbers and prices from them and then the catalog link.
15865 - 1971 v/8, auto trans $108.00
15870 - 1971 v/8 $170.00

http://www.wiringharness.com/PDFS/CU...ss_442_F85.pdf

 

Bummer.
Do you know what caused it?

These guys should have the engine harness too.

http://www.lectriclimited.com/

 

I've also used american auto wire with success http://www.americanautowire.com/

 

Yes I figured out what caused it, we made a stupid mistake. We pulled the bellhousing to check the clutch because we had the tranny out over the winter. The wires heading to the Alternator were pinched in between the bell and the block. I'll add it to the stupid things I've done list...the list is real long.
Thanks for the leads, I'll check them all out. You guys are great.

 

I just bought all new harnesses as well, the alternator wiring is part of the front light harness the other items are part of the engine harness so you will need to order both. I'll look at where the wires come from but I believe they came from american autowire, lectriclimited isn't far from my house heard good things about them as well.

 

Wow! close call! I'm glad it wasn't more serious. We all miss details now and then, but now everyone who's read this thread will be watching as they bolt up a bellhousing!!! John

 

OUCH!! Glad you and the car fared well afterwards given the circumstances. A harness will not be too bad to replace - they are out there.
Best part is that you at least know what caused the problem.

 

MAN that was a close one, I was afraid of seeing a burnt up shell of a 442 here, glad to hear all you need is a wire harness.

 

Another lesson I learned... My car came with a lock switch mounted on the dash that had a bad cable so I left it off on purpose. The only way you can open the hood is to jam your arm from under the bumper, up to the latch mechanism and manualy move the latch lock. I knew a guy once that had a W30 air cleaner stolen back in the 80's so I figured I'd make it real hard to open. My son drives the car now and then and cannot seem to figure out how to open the hood. If he had been driving the car it would have burned to the ground. I did something similar to the 70 SS454 I had, I rigged up a latch that prevented the hook from being moved back until you held it out of the way by squeezing your fingers under the hood and moving the lock. The original cowl induction and carb were very expensive. I debated all this with a friend last night and he feels it isn't worth the risk of losing a car to a fire. He figures the cars are usually close by at car shows etc. I do drive my cars alot more than him. I think I'll get my factory hood lock switch working.

 

good point, as our parts get more valuable I have wondered about that. In the old days I actually chained the hood down with a lock when I lived in a not so great neighborhood, not because of the parts (they were just parts back then) but to prevent someone from hooking up the coil to take the whole car or taking the battery. Now I may just leave the hood closed at shows unless I am around - though I do like driving the car but do not want to be held hostage by wondering if my distributor is being stolen while I am in a restaurant or a movie

 

Do these harnesses come with good 'fusible links'? (whatever one goes to the junction block that is) They are 60a IIRC.

 

I plan on installing one. I don't believe their was a link in 71.

 

This is John in lindstrom , I think I have the harness you need . It is from a 71 Skylark Convert with a 350 , and auto trans .
I will look today.

 

Hey John,
I picked one up yesterday. I pulled it out of a 71 Cutlass. The car should be running later today. Thanks anyway,

 

I think it has to do with the car or the color. There is a 71 W30 here that is/was sienna/sienna. It was fully restored & ALL correct.It caught fire & burned real bad.It's still all there,but what a mess.Glad to hear yours wasn't so bad.

 

Thanks Brian and to all you well wishers,
The first house I ever installed a service in burned also. It was my father in laws home. It was just after I got my journeymans electricians license about 20 years ago. I did a nice job on the service but my dope smoking brother in law spilled gas in the tuck under garage and burned the place down.
That episode has saved me alot of work I'm always asked to do electrical work for free or real cheap. I tell them "yea I can help, but the first house I ever installed a service in burned to the ground, when do you want me to start?" They usually ask if I'm kidding and I tell them, it's the truth.
I don't mention the fuel spill.

 

Dave , you will notice in the electrical forumn that I am having issues also.
Maybe I should hire you to come fix the problems with the electrical on my Cutlass . I almost burnt a car once before because I am a dumb ---- when it comes to electrical. Are you working ? There is nothing going on in residential framing in the Twin Cites. My daughters boyfriend is a union electrian also but I dont trust him.

 

Give me a call

 

WOw
I am happy that your car dident burn to the ground.
I have a small fire extinguisher on the floor (back seat)
of my 442 W30 and I have a quick disconnnect on the battery positive terminal (the car is parked under my house) so hence the disconnect on the battery) I suggest You invest in both items.
its cheap insurance....

 

Good idea.
I got it running again today. Everything seems to work fine. I do have a couple of burn marks on the red inner fender but it wasn't in the best condition before the fire.