Console Switch Mods

Console wiring took a back seat to a need to design a different way to mount the HVAC switches. Originally, I mounted them directly on the front plate with the aluminum trim in place. When I tried to wire the switches, I found it difficult to see the wired terminals, so I decided to mount the switches on a smaller bracket that could be removed from the console for better access and visibility.  I threw together a quick mockup and it works fine. In fact, it works well enough that I’m not going to make a neater permanent bracket. It won’t be visible when the trim is installed, so why waste time making it pretty when it functions perfectly well as is.

 I finished wiring the switches in place and installed a few other wires that route to the console bus.  I also ordered a bussed terminal strip to use as a central ground point under the dash, and it should be here late this week.

While I wait for that I’ll make a few wiring changes in the dash bundles before the dash is installed. I expected a need to revise some circuits as I got deeper into the merging ’56 and ’66 parts with the truck steering column wiring, and it was a good guess.

FWIW, I still need another knob like the ones shown in the last photo. If anyone has one they can spare, please let me know. It can have any engraved legend, as I will fill the engraving with Muggyweld before having them re-chromed.

It Must be Raindrops!

Rain at last! 

I had begun to think we had seriously angered the rain gods. There have been several heavy rains within a few miles of us in the past two weeks, but we received nothing more than sprinkles until yesterday. Yesterday morning I found 1.35 in the rain gauge, and over last night, another 1.40 fell. Then it started again this morning and so far, we added another 1.25 to the total. We could use another inch or two before it quits, but I'm very happy with what we got! The three-inch wide cracks in the clay soil should close for the season and I can probably stop hauling hoses around  to water shrubs every few days.

Before the rains began, the temperatures were in triple digits again, so a couple hours a day working on the car was all the air conditioner and I could handle. I'm still routing and terminating under-dash wiring, and it’s still a slow process as I have to create hook-up information as it happens, so I can keep track of the configuration for future reference. I'm nearing the point where I can permanently install the console frame, and soon after that, the dashboard can go in. Hooray!

With luck, the weather should moderate soon, as the nights are getting cooler and longer and I can open the garage doors in the morning to cool it off. Now if I can just pump up my enthusiasm a few notches! Seeing the interior come together should help that problem a bunch.

Interior Wiring Progress

The weather has cooled somewhat. Today it was 95 compared to 105 last week, so I’m slowly easing back into harness. My little window air conditioner keeps the garage comfortable until mid-afternoon, so I’ve been able to spend a few hours on the wiring. 

I’ve moved to the interior and now have the bundle to the firewall connector mostly terminated. Most of the wires left to install are those coming from the switches after the dash is mounted, and I'm nearly done with terminating those already attached to the dash side.

It looks like a rat's nest now, but it will look better once I start forming and tying the mess into neat(er) bundles.

Next  priority will be the A/C controls  and console wiring.