Leaving well enough alone

[sam z]

What do you guys think:
With my previous post showing the crappy old starter cable I would
like to take the initiative to start cleaning the wires under the hood of
the car. On the other hand, as with many things, some people would
say if there is nothing wrong than don't mess with it. Right now,
everything seems to be ok with the electrical system.

That wire was probably the worst example of what I'm dealing with.
Most of the wiring under the hood is just kind of dusty and grimy.

I bought a can of "QD Electical cleaner" or something like that. Got
some sandpaper and steel wool. What do you think? Grab a beer
and have at it or don't mess with it and just clean it all up when
I get the car painted eventually?

 

[Roadcuda]

If you're eventually going to pull it all out, and this is the only problem you have, I'd say leave it alone. Unless of course other problems start showing their ugly head. As others have said, why tempt fate.

 

[Big John]

If you're talking about cleaning the contacts of all the plugs, I think its a great idea.

A couple things, first is to be careful with the contact cleaner. The old plastic insulators may not like it. A small wire brush might be good, perhaps even better then the sandpaper. I like to use a touch of dielectric grease on everything when it goes back together. You can get that at the local well stocked parts store.

 

[Basketcase]

I would at least check the wire connectors. see if they are loose,ready to fall apart,etc.

 

[69hemibeep]

I would clean them, that was the trouble with them when almost new

 

[sam z]

As far as the wiring harness on the firewall (which dust and filth is
very attracted to) are the wires easy to unplug and clean? I remember
a while back with my old 67 coronet that the wires didn't like to
come out of there all that easily.

 

[Plymouthfan]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say just replace the whole engine harness.

If it seems like it's old and brittle like the starter wires you posted, just bite the bullet and replace the whole thing. It shouldn't take more than an hour to replace the old harness with a new one and they're not too expensive. A hundred bucks and you're gold!

http://evanswiring.tripod.com/id3.html

Just my 2¢

 

[SomeCarGuy]

After a small fire, I made it a rule to replace the underhood harness on all my old cars.

YO sells a GREAT harness and it is only about 100 bucks depending on your car. In fact I put a new one on the RR this year for 85 bucks. Took care of all sorts of crappy wires, hacked stuff, melted stuff. Also updated fo electronic ign, and the new style VR. Color codes are ends are as they should be, it is AWESOME.

 

[Hoosier Bird]

How better to learn than just do it and fix anything that happens next........

 

[george68hemirr]

just do it

 

[toms69rr]

YO sells a GREAT harness and it is only about 100 bucks depending on your car. In fact I put a new one on the RR this year for 85 bucks. Took care of all sorts of crappy wires, hacked stuff, melted stuff. Also updated for electronic ign, and the new style VR. Color codes are ends are as they should be, it is AWESOME.

For a couple of hundred bucks and a couple hours work. I would go a head and do it.
1.) It cleans up the engine bay
2.) It won't leave you on the side of the road waiting for a tow
3.) Upgrade for electronic ignition/ better performance.
I still think I paid 168.00 for the front engine harness, But it could have been with front light harness too.
Plus I pay tax with YO I live in GA.
Tom