Moss Motors, Ltd

Hello All,

I am restoring my first Triumph TR4 and have been giving different opinions on re-wiring my car. I just got the car running and discovered that I really need to re-build the Stromberg carbs since one is leaking badly.  Here is a video of the car starting up and running after 15 plus years. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT9ZhOBTVeo 

The car is pretty much stripped, so I want to know if I should replace the wiring harness or keep the original if there is no "Apparent" damage?

Thanks everyone for your help.

Rodney

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1964 Triumph TR4

Rodney, 

Congrats on getting the beast fired up.  Since you've got the car apart now, why not put a new harness in it.  I know it's not cheap, but the peace of mind will be priceless.  That harness has been in there 45 years, and lets face it, it was probably made by Lucas.  What may not be obvious damage can give you headaches for an eternity.  The bullet connectors are probably corroded seriously, the ground lugs could be loose or corroded and the insulation could be brittle (make that is most likely brittle).  It would be a shame for you to complete a restoration and be chasing opens and shorts, one at a time, forever.  The safety factor will be tremendous.  I once owned a '68 MGB, and inevitably the lights, OD, and wipers would all shut off on their own in the rain at night.  It required that I get out and yank on the front of the harness so that the electrons would flow again.  The car was less than 5 years old at the time!  My vote is for replacing the harness.

Good luck,

Mike         

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Mike

The British drink warm beer because Lucas makes their refrigerators.

Mike,

Thanks for the feedback. That's what I kinda figured anyway.  Grrrrr.  So, the new harnesses, SHOULD be made better/more reliably?  Are the connections better than before or could I still have electrical Gremlins? 

Thanks,

Rodney 

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1964 Triumph TR4

Rodney,

Fortunately, I don't have any experience with aftermarket wiring harnesses.  I traded my MGB and made it someone else's problem.  I do know that there are a few makers out there, one of which is Moss.  I'm sure the quality of a new harness is going to be sustantially better that what you've got now.  Just think about 45 years of plastic technology.  As far as connectors are concerned, just make sure they're tight and clean.  Use a little electric grease if you're fearful of corrosion.  Make absolutely certain all of your body ground connections are solid.  A friend rewired his MGBGT with a kit two years ago.  He's not particularly handy, but he's been troublefree since.

MIke

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Mike

The British drink warm beer because Lucas makes their refrigerators.

I can’t speak for a Triumph, but I’ve rewired both my MGA and my MG TF and highly recommend it while your car is apart. It’s a worthwhile winter project.

Thanks everyone. I guess I know what I will be doing this winter!

Rodney

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1964 Triumph TR4