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Taking stuff off

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jaybird

jaybird

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I've had enough of this domestic stuff for a day. Dahubby works til 2pm. I want to start taking the remaining bits off Binabox. I wish I had my dig camera (left it at my son's) All that wiring under the dash? Bundles of wires held up with twist ties and SKI ROPE, clumped together and tied to the steering column. I can just start taking all that out right? Do I need to label anything or remember where it came from? The heater core is still on too I think. I want to do something on the car, and I don't feel like tearing down carbs (unsupervised) and start the tedious polishing process.

So the wires are first. Just 'yank' it all out? We won't reuse any of that old wiring, so is there a point in saving it?

Also, Binabox has a great banjo steering wheel. That's been 'wrapped' with a cover for probably 30 years or more by the looks of the stuff when I took it off. How can I clean up this wheel? (center hub is crap)
 
You may want to take it easy on the wiring as you take it out. There may be things you will need later and if you rip and tear you may damage other items (gauges, etc). What ever you try on the steering wheel try on a back section first to make sure there is no damage.
 
I'm going to wait til our son comes down at 2 with my camera, so I can take pictures of where the stuff came from, bag it and tag it.

Gauges are all out, the 'dash' itself is out. None of the wiring is connected to anything essential for the most part. But I best wait. If I do it right, I did good, if I screw something up, I'm in deep chit.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

I'll just go for a ride in Emma!
 
JB, try not to harm the old harness on removal, as you will want to lay it out next to the new one for comparison.
And, don't throw it away. It's always handy to have around if you need a section of a particular color wire for a repair or the addition of a component later.
For instance, I have a towbar for my Spridgets. I made the wiring harness from the front section of an old Sprite harness. Just plug it into the appropriate bullet connectors on the towed vehicle, hook up the truck half, and I have all the required lights for towing.
Jeff
 
Okay, Jeff. But this stuff is pretty brittle. I'll tag it and bag it!
 
IMHO: Save everything wot ain't total FUBAR... ziplock bags and permanent markers are your friends. We have done as Jeff: old harnesses, stripped, cleaned and stowed. Came in handy with this B as some ShoddyBop in it's past chopped a few inches from the rear harness, the blower motor leads, tank sender wires, ugly ScotchLok thingies thru some under-dash wires... Now it's all "back" to "Lucar"s and proper colours. My "compromise" was to strip all the rotting fabric from the loom (looked like a dead cat on the passenger footwell as I stripped it!), inspect/repair all "sins" and wrap it with black electrical tape. The bits you save can save YOU at some time down the road.

I like Jeff's "plug-an-play" towing adapter! "Green/white, on th' right; Green/red, left instead." "R is for running, and stop on G/P." WOOHOO! My tow bar is to be modified next. May decide to paint it OEW as well. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I completely agree with Jeff. Save the old harness and for the occasional bit of color coded wire. I've also re-used the bullet connectors off of old harnesses when I needed to. FWIW, I also found that on a later harness I installed the dash bulb sockets had been changed. I was glad to have the original sockets off the old harness.
 
I've said it before and I'll say it again now... Restore and reuse every possible original part. THis has nothing to do with originality (well maybe a little) but more to do with the quality and fit of repro parts. The majority of replacement parts will not last as long or work as well as a retored original. So even if it takes longer and costs more, it will be worth your while in the long run to restore those old parts.
 
Janel...I'm not sure you need a new harness! See if the part in the dash will clean up...its not molested out on that end....whatever you decide on, however, DON'T cut it! You can always get $75 or so for it on eBay.
 
I gotta say this: Steve_S is right. Save it all for the reason he's stated: the stuff we're seein' as "repro'd" is far inferior, and in most cases the old original bits are reuseable/rebuildable to a condition where they'll outlast th' repro by tons.

...and JB, if you're inclined to actually ~sell~ an original full front harness without first lettin' US know, I'll find a way to put you on an "ignore" list!!!

Just a word in yer ear, girl /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I probably have a half dozen complete, old wire harnesses around. I'm always finding a piece here and there that I need. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

David Deutsch
1973 MGB project
1975 MGB
1978 MG Midget
1980 MGB
 

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Preachin' to the choir, David. There's not a piece of an MGB in my posession I'm willing to part with at this point, and I've got PLENTY of 'em. Peeps look in my garage and proclaim: "You need more roo0m, dude! Scrap out some'a this JUNK!"

Those individuals have had the last free beer and invite to th' hovel they're gonna get... I do not brook fools. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Dr E: "Whut's yer hurry?.... 'ere's yer 'at 'n coat!"
 
Those are Saab Inca Wheels in Gray Powder Coating. 15" x 6" allows me to get 195s on them and I run a 60 hieght so it doesn't throw off the speedo much. Saab 900 and 9000 wheels to 1987 are the same bolt pattern but they sit a little closer in... nothing that a 3/16 spacer at the rears didn't correct. Saab had a real nice 8 spoke Shelby wheel as an option back then as well. I have a set of them that will be worn by my 73 B when it's time comes to hit the road.

Thanks for noticing Mickey.

Safety Fast,
David Deutsch
1973 MGB project
1973 Dodge Dart
1975 MGB
1978 MG Midget
1980 MGB, Carmine Red w/ Saab wheels
 

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Don't forget my favorite way to disassemble. Use an old seal a meal so the items remain together and you can write on the bags. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
David....let me know if you find any more of those Saab 15"-ers.
 
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