MTFCA Forum

The timer wiring harness on my 1916 coupelet has seen better days so I decided to replace it. I ordered a new harness for a supplier and found the harness to be 2-3 inches to short. I ordered another from another supplier and found the same issue. From 1909 to at least 1916, there is a small brass clamp that secures the harness to the dash and 2 sheet metal clips under the hood board that secure the harness. If the harness passes thru the dash clamp and the 2 clips, its to short to reach the timer. Anyone else have this issue?

Pictures of harness

Hmmm. This may be a problem of long standing for the '09-'16 reproduction looms ?

I just purchased one for my '13, as I "re-restore" her, to replace the previous thoroughly oil soaked one, reportedly installed when the car was initially restored c. 2003. The brass dash clip is present, but there were no clips to hold it to the hood shelf, so it lay on the splash pan - hence the "oil bath wire loom". I suspect they are both too short to be secured to the hood shelf !

Both the new loom and the old one measure the same - approximately 61" for the longest (green) wire in the set. Kim, can you measure your new one to compare ? Thank you !

I have the later low cowl black cars. The length was OK but the switch wire eyes would work but they were to big. Once an error begins in making them it takes a good while to get corrected if it happens at all.

Seems to me when I restored mine to original using the proper looms the brass eyelets were like stretching an ants a$$ over a rainbarrel! Fit waayyy too tight...barely got em on the threaded studs. Real PIA.

I've had problems with repro looms in the past, and I've had to take my original looms to my local Y&Z's company to be made correctly! They even wove the Ford tags into the loom!

My Green wire end to end is 57.5".

I realize your coupelet has its original firewall so the clamp is in its original location.

On the 1917 Rip Van Winkel Ford, that clamp sits lower on the firewall. I believe on my unrestored '17, it is also lower but I'd have to go out the garage and look.

Also note that the headlamp wire is stapled to the firewal (two staples)l. Note the evidence of that on your '16 firewall. The firewall on my unrestored '17 also has the holes from the two headlamp wire staples.

My opinion is when T’s left the factory all the details such as wiring location , clips, upholstery placement and other details weren’t all exactly the same. They were close to be sure but not 100%. Just my opinion.

KimDobbins wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 21, 2023 6:06 pm

My Green wire end to end is 57.5".

I didn't stretch it out tight, why I said approximately. I believe I'd gain a bit if it were pulled to an accurate measure; any road, your loom is over 3-1/2" shorter. Would that be enough slack to install correctly ?

While we're at it, I see the clip I have is not correct, unless it was a different item in 1913. Does anyone have photos of the hood shelf loom retainers ?

John, I agree. Placement of some details would likely have been formulated, but not assembled from a measured template. I reckon they were all very close nonetheless.

Rich, here’s a picture of the loom retainers used 1909-14. The smaller one started in 1915.

Thanks for that, Kim !

Steve Lang saw this thread and found an old Coles harness that is longer and will do the job. Thanks Langs old car parts!