Hey guys! Starting to clean and detail the engine compartment for a new engine install (getting the project going, again) and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for electrical routing and component re-location. Especially, if there are any neat ideas for mounting the starter relay and voltage regulator. Actually, do I even need the voltage regulator with an aftermarket ignition system? Basically, I want the engine compartment as clean as possible and I hear re-wiring cars is a nightmare. PICS WOULD BE HELPFUL. Thanks, Eric
Ignition system has nothing to do with the charging system...you need both systems along with a lighting system and starting system. You can use a alternator that has a built in the regulator or has the regulator piggybacked on the alternator. Use a starter that has the starter solenoid built on the starter. For the wiring harness here is one of many ideas http://jr.stangnet.com/hidden.htm
Friggin' WOW! That's clean, Russ. So what did you do for wire routing? Is it, really, worth it to buy a new wiring harness and start from scratch, or, should I just re-use the stock stuff (if in good shape) with some new convo tubing?
I reused the factory harness (for my swap, everything but the engine wires) and re-ran them closer to the frame rail since I no longer have to route around the shock towers. There was enough slack in the harness to allow for this. I put my wires in spiral wrap this time (I've come to dislike the convolute tubing). Here are a couple more pix, I've since had to move the washer bottle forward 6" to clear the alternator and there was enough slack to do that too. My only problem using the factory harness was that a previous owner had replaced a front fender and instead of removing the lamp pigtails, cut them off and then respliced them with the "twist & tape" method. Russ
i welded up all the holes in the inner fenders and sanded them down smooth. i put the starter soloniod on the inside of the fire wall, the battery is in the trunk and i have a 3g alt. this allowed me to get rid of the external regulator. i have no wires on the pass side and just the stock harness on the drivers side. the harness just dissapears with the black engine compartment.
