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BN1/2 Wiring Question

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H

Healeysince59

Jedi Warrior
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This week I should get my BN1 chassis back from the body/paint shop and start re-assembly. Yee-ha! This was someone else's abandoned project and came with a lot of work done and some new parts. Most of the work I have redone or undone. It had a new wiring harness installed (I removed it) and a BN2 gearbox. I would like to go with the BN2 single O/D relay setup. So, here's my question(s):

Should I go with a BN1 or a BN2 wiring harness? I am willing to sacrifice (eBay) the new harness that came with the car which I assume is a BN1. Any easy way to tell what it is? I assume I need a BN2 O/D harness, I have a new BN1 Harness. Any other known problems I will encounter?

Marv J
 
Marv:

I just converted my BN1 to the single relay system using my harness which was a PVC plastic replacement harness I installed 34 years ago. I bought it from Moss.

I found the wires I needed within the harness, perhaps it was built to serve both BN1 and 2 cars. But there is not much needed. I would not sacrifice a good new harness because of the minor changes needed. You just need a green lead (meaning 12V when the ignition is on) to the OD switch instead of a ground. There are many of these to choose from behind the dash.

You also need a green lead to the throttle switch, I just made a little jumper from the green wires on the fuse block to the throttle switch.

The remaining wires are there, but need to be put on different lugs on the relay you decide to keep. I just followed the relay diagram in the shop manual for the BN2 setup.

You will need to bypass the centrifugal switch if you go to the single relay system. I made the single relay conversion because my centrifugal switch developed a chatter that I could not fix --and once it is out of the circuit, it is simpler to go with one relay.

The single relay works great on mine, but I do miss the automatic transmission effect of the centrifugal switch.

I enjoyed meeting you and your Healey at San Diego. Lots of fun out there and your red Healey original was quite a hit....

Bill S
Albuquerque
 
I would suggest using the BN1 harness as well. I put a new harness in my BN-2 and there were not the wires for the double relay system, or for the centrifugal switch (that I could see). At such time as we are all turned to dust, maybe there will be a new owner for your car, who will want to return it to the original configuration.
 
I also eliminated the other relay with a BN1 harness..just follwow the schematic.

Pete
 
Looks like a BN2 O/D harness and I'm there. Actually, I considered reverting to the BN1 gearbox but the PO had modified the rear mount already and spent more than a little money getting the BN2 gearbox rebuilt.

I stopped by and looked at my freshly painted chassis this morning. If I can get my trailer out and make room in the garage for 1 more car, I will pick it up tomorrow and start bolting things on this weekend.

Bill S - We really enjoyed meeting you in SD and were surprised at the attention our very unrestored 100 attracted. The "Diamond In The Rough Trophy" (Finely Crafted From A 1958 Dodge Truck Bed) is on prominent display. Say hello to the other Bill S when you see him.

Marv J
 
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