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M-Series Wiring Harness

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:39 pm
by 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)

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:47 pm
by Cacti_Ken
Ryan, what type of grease did you use on the components.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 3:57 pm
by 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.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 6:32 pm
by Cacti_Ken
Ryan I used silicone grease. It is not suppose to harm the rubber.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:24 pm
by Ryan_Miller
That sounds good to me.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 11:32 pm
by wesk
GE makes an Electro-Insulating compound that is based on silicon grease. Comes in a green squeeze tube.

http://www.gesilicones.com/gesilicones/ ... Id=1000098

There are quite a few Dielectric Greases out there. This is the same stuff you find in car lamp sockets and plugs today.

Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:20 am
by 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, :wink: John

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:18 am
by 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. 8)