M-Series Wiring Harness

[Ryan_Miller]

Subject: M-Series Wiring Harness
Status: Reproduction
Sold By: Made by Vintage Wiring of Maine

Review:

Shape/Appearance:
The wiring harness I bought was the correct douglas connectors and the proper lengths. They also make harnesses with Packard connectors and can make harnesses for other civilian and military vehicles.
The only appearance issue was that the wiring had printed on it "Prestolite", which did not buy out Auto-Lite until 1961, but the lettering is small and not extremely noticable.

Fit/Function:
Fit and works well. You may need to slightly grease the connector rubber because they can be hard to snap the shells together (as they were when new).

Summary:
Overall a good product. Be sure to specify what circuit breaker set up you have on your vehicle and if you want to add turn signals, etc to your harness.

Rating: 9.5 (1- 10, 10 highest)
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Ryan Miller
MVPA # 22010

[Cacti_Ken]

Ryan, what type of grease did you use on the components.
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Tropical Veteran
35th Inf. Reg. "CACTI" 4th I.D. VN
Amateur Radio K5XOM

[Ryan_Miller]

Ken,

I have not put any on yet, but I read in PS Magazine from 1959 no 77, that they recomended some to help get the connecting shells together. They stated that they needed to be firm to hold the water out.

Insulating compuond, electrical paste (Spec MIL-I-8660)
FSN 5970-224-5277... 2 OZ tube up to 50 lb can (5970-242-0910)

It does not harden or evaporate and will not hurt the rubber connectors.

I have yet to research this compound further, but I have found it can be difficult to squeeze the metal shells to lock due to the rubber.
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Ryan Miller
MVPA # 22010

[Cacti_Ken]

Ryan I used silicone grease. It is not suppose to harm the rubber.
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Tropical Veteran
35th Inf. Reg. "CACTI" 4th I.D. VN
Amateur Radio K5XOM

[Ryan_Miller]

That sounds good to me.
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Ryan Miller
MVPA # 22010

[wesk]

GE makes an Electro-Insulating compound that is based on silicon grease. Comes in a green squeeze tube.

http://www.gesilicones.com/gesilicones/as1/en//grade/mastergrade_kit_one_part.jsp?masterGradeId=1000734&industryId=1000002&applicationId=1000548&applicationAreaId=1000098

There are quite a few Dielectric Greases out there. This is the same stuff you find in car lamp sockets and plugs today.
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Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[oilleaker1]

Vintage wiring of Maine recommended filing the end of the plastic connector to shorten it some which helps, but after 3 harnesses, I found that if you remove or delete one of the cupped washers that go against the rubbers, you can install them a heck of alot easier. Steel washer, steel cap, I didn't see any harm in removing a washer. I don't plan on EVER putting my rigs under water. I keep them clean and dry after use. This is for the Douglas-Type connectors! Packard-Type , silicone grease really helps. My 2 cents, John

[Ryan_Miller]

John,

I ended up using a little of the electrical grease and sanding the ends of the plastic connectors down a little.

They can be really hard to fit together, but like you I don't plan on running under water.
_________________
Ryan Miller
MVPA # 22010