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Miss the Centech harness? Need A new Wire harness? Check this out!

K0DRD

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2023
Messages
4
Yes, Headlight to taillight. Includes the 1 wire alternator harness and the ready to run distributor wiring is explained in the instructions.
So I'm finally getting to my wiring...I don't see in the instructions how to connect the gm style distributor. Am I missing something? I read in the forum to use a wire from the ignition? Is there one in the harness that would work already? Or do you need to run a new wire from the ignition? Any help would be appreciated. I am using the northeast classic autowire harness. Thanks
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
51,613
Should be at least one you can use. I don't remember the color, but if Nick doesn't chime in I'll see if I can get that info for you.

Since there is no "resistor wire" in the harness, like there is in a stock Ford harness, you can theoretically use whatever wire says something like "Ign Coil +" or "Ignition Module (or ICM) +" or even just "IGN +" or words to that effect.
We often mention utilizing a relay to take the added load off of the ignition switch, but not sure if you have to do it in this case. The wires are probably up-sized by one gauge or so, and I don't think the HEI's use as much current as many think. However, our Bronco ignition switches are often over taxed as they are, and the HEI does use more power than a stock EB ignition does.
GM uses either 14ga or 12ga (I think it's 14 though) to power up theirs, and the O.E.'s rarely waste money on larger gauge wires than they need to. For ultimate cost reasons.
Maybe the info on the wire gauge of this harness is available.

Did you check Northeast's website? Maybe they've got the most up-to-date version of the instructions posted up, or perhaps someone here has them they can add any details missing from yours.

Good luck!

Paul
 

K0DRD

New Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2023
Messages
4
Should be at least one you can use. I don't remember the color, but if Nick doesn't chime in I'll see if I can get that info for you.

Since there is no "resistor wire" in the harness, like there is in a stock Ford harness, you can theoretically use whatever wire says something like "Ign Coil +" or "Ignition Module (or ICM) +" or even just "IGN +" or words to that effect.
We often mention utilizing a relay to take the added load off of the ignition switch, but not sure if you have to do it in this case. The wires are probably up-sized by one gauge or so, and I don't think the HEI's use as much current as many think. However, our Bronco ignition switches are often over taxed as they are, and the HEI does use more power than a stock EB ignition does.
GM uses either 14ga or 12ga (I think it's 14 though) to power up theirs, and the O.E.'s rarely waste money on larger gauge wires than they need to. For ultimate cost reasons.
Maybe the info on the wire gauge of this harness is available.

Did you check Northeast's website? Maybe they've got the most up-to-date version of the instructions posted up, or perhaps someone here has them they can add any details missing from yours.

Good luck!

Paul
Thanks for the response. I have an email in to NE, waiting for a reply from them. Thanks again for the info!
 

joshua

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
Messages
1,757
Is this a braided loom, or is it the corrugated plastic? The NE Classic picture looks like both kinds. Looks braided in the first picture, but definitely corrugated plastic in the second. Is there 2 different gens? Or am I just blind?
 

steelworker77

Contributor
Full Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2024
Messages
175
I believe they swapped over to the braided. I picked one up at the carlisle event this weekend and it was braided. Looking forward to installing it.
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
51,613
Hard to say. Depends on when the change was made.
Obviously I can’t open every box, but I can check out mine when I get home later today (hopefully) and let you know what the one has that I bought about three or four months ago.
 

Shimmy

Contributor
1977 Bronco
Joined
Jun 20, 2021
Messages
1,390
Loc.
Maple Valley
Hard to say. Depends on when the change was made.
Obviously I can’t open every box, but I can check out mine when I get home later today (hopefully) and let you know what the one has that I bought about three or four months ago.

no worries mate! i'll order in a couple months and hopefully it'll be the newer style then. i'll call the store before ordering.
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
51,613
Mine’s still split-loom.
It’s fully wrapped of course, and very nicely done, like the old Centech harness. But you can tell that under the tape it’s “corrugated “ split loom.
If you’re ordering from us, I’m sure that when it comes time to order, we can find somebody in the back to open up a box and double check before it gets shipped out.😁😉
 

Potshot

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
666
Loc.
Inglis, Florida
I'll be going through my harness and documenting where and what all the extra devices are and where the wiring travels (add'l fans, lights, compressor). Will you be able to offer additional circuits inside the loom as needed?
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
51,613
I'll go out on a limb and say, at this point it's very doubtful that anything will be added on an as-needed basis. Probably the only changes to be made will be full-on updates to every future harness.
If such an update is ever needed that is.

But we'll let Nick be the final say on it. Just that, from other experiences with this type of product, custom additions are rare. And often expensive...
But we can hope!

There are already some additional circuits to help with more than what the factory ever offered. But whether they're enough to cover your needs or not, you'll have to decide.
When you say compressor, do you mean for on-board air, or for air-conditioning?
Many accessories can be run from common switched circuits off of relays and power from a separate auxiliary fuse panel. Maybe that way the existing harness is still enough.

Paul
 

904Bronco

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
6,694
Loc.
San Martin, CA
What harness do you guys use on your builds?
Depends on your build.... More details need to be given.

The harness in this thread is about a relatively stock replacement.

American Auto wire or the Painless Bronco specific harness will give you more options.
You need to review them and see if they meet your plans, then compare the cost factor, and then your skill level...

I have used the now defunct Centech harness and the American Auto wire harness...
 

Got4wd

Contributor
Full Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2009
Messages
242
Loc.
Texas
Depends on your build.... More details need to be given.

The harness in this thread is about a relatively stock replacement.

American Auto wire or the Painless Bronco specific harness will give you more options.
You need to review them and see if they meet your plans, then compare the cost factor, and then your skill level...

I have used the now defunct Centech harness and the American Auto wire harness...
I was asking patriot what they were using. Sorry if I wasn’t clear on that. I’m going to use painless or autowire for my coyote build. Leaning towards auto wire though.
 

904Bronco

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
6,694
Loc.
San Martin, CA
I was asking patriot what they were using. Sorry if I wasn’t clear on that. I’m going to use painless or autowire for my coyote build. Leaning towards auto wire though.

My Bad, sometimes I need to go back and read more as the the direction of the thread can change...

Another vote for AAW, I have done a few, on a few different vehicles, great online support as well.
 
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