With the help of this how-to guide, you will be able to rewire your hot rod or custom vehicle, from choosing the best components, the correct harness kit, and doing all the work yourself, saving quite a bit of money.
Author Dennis Overholser, has been designing wiring harnesses for hot rods, for the past 2 decades, both as a profession and as a hobbyist.
In this book, Dennis explains everything you need to know as far as automotive wiring is concerned, from theory on DC electricity to discussing the many harness kits available, batteries to starters and alternators.
You really don't need to hire an expert to do the wiring on your hot rod, custom or classic car. You only need this book!
Book Excerpt: Hot Rod Wiring: A Detailed How-To Guide
INTRODUCTION
In this quest to write my third book, I find I'm still striving for real world answers to real world questions. We start with a review of the basics of DC Electrical Circuits, and progress through the complete harness installation.
The photos in the book are not studio shots, just simple photos used to help tell the story. I tried to write the text in everyday language so hopefully it will be understandable to all.
Automotive electrical wiring is as mysterious as the Voodoo religion is to most people, so the simpler the text, the better chance one has of understanding what it all means.
I've tried to address the needs of all enthusiasts, working in all the different segments of our hobby. The style of circuits used may differ when working on a simple roadster - compared to an all-out custom truck - or even a traditional racecar, but they still require the same care and patience to get the job done correctly.
You will find several installation stories in this book to use as a guideline for installing a chassis harness.
A chapter of diagrams has been included to help illustrate how some specific circuits are made, and how some wires are routed. The "Old School" trend has brought the look of the 50's to current starting and charging systems.
With todays technology, the 50's can be affordable - and safe.
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) is now a part of our everyday lives. Most of us don't even give it a second thought when we start our daily driver and take off on an excursion. Adding Fuel Injection to our "Pride and Joy" hot rod, however may be another story.
It has been 25 years since the last carburetor was installed in a vehicle, on an automatic production line. Hopefully, the information in this book will help calm any jittery nerves you get, when you decide to upgrade the drivability and economy of your vehicle, by adding EFI. Numerous stories installing EFI have been included in this book.
An updated chapter on troubleshooting contains answers to common questions. The list of items that can cause problems in an automobile electrical system is endless.
Many of the solutions we've included were discovered during one-on-one repair sessions, seminars at shows, and at events. Some were real brainteasers - while others were solved just by stepping back and looking at the problem from a different angle.
Thank you for taking the time to read the book, and I hope you find in beneficial.
INSTRUMENTATION
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Proper installation of your gauges involves more then just hooking up a few wires. Consider that the gauges, from the fuel gauge to the speedometer, are the most relied upon source of information in your vehicle. If the gauges are not wired properly, the information presented will not be correct.
The most common problem with gauge installation is the lack of a good ground. Since gauges are sensitive devices, they require only small amounts of current (inputs) to produce their readings. With these small signals good connections are critical.
Proper grounds between the chassis, frame and the body are a must. If the lights or any other device are turned on the and gauges read differently, the problem is probably a bad ground. With the large number of fiberglass parts being used today the issue of grounding becomes even more critical.
A ground strap or wire may be needed between the gauges and the body or the frame. A good practice is to have a grounding lug located under the dash and wired to the chassis, to help make gauge installation easier.
TABLE of CONTENTS:
DC Electricity 101
Batteries, Alternators, Starters
Switches
Instrumentation
Accessory Wiring
Converting 6 to 12
EFI for Your Hot Ride
1939 Ford Harness Install
1972 Chevy Truck Re-wire
Tips and Troubleshooting
Sources and Catalog
Subject: Transportation: Automotive: Electical: Do-It-Yourself: Hot Rod, custom, classic car or truck wiring. ISBN-10: 1929133987 | ISBN-13: 9781929133987 | Wolfgang Publications 33987
