rewiring a "55 Savoy
'55 Savoy
Posted 2020-03-03 6:26 PM (#595152)
Subject: rewiring a "55 Savoy



Member

Posts: 14

Hey all, has anyone here, ever tackled a rewiring of an old Plymouth Savoy?? I have one, and the wiring has seen better days, with some being patched together by a former owner. I'm not an electrical guy, but am willing to go into the depths to get this done, as I would like to drive this vehicle sooner rather than later! It is all stock, 6 volt system and would prefer to keep it that way. It runs and moves under it's own power, just refurbished all the brakes, lines, master cylinder, fuel tank, fuel pump, carb. Found an oil bath air cleaner on E-Bay, Any assistance or input is greatly appreciated. Did these cars have fuses?? can't seem to find any.... thanks for your time
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Old Ray
Posted 2020-03-03 7:46 PM (#595156 - in reply to #595152)
Subject: RE: rewiring a "55 Savoy



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 507
500
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=73247&posts=8&highlight=fuses&highlightmode=1#M594345

 

Top of the page Bottom of the page
57chizler
Posted 2020-03-04 2:01 PM (#595212 - in reply to #595152)
Subject: RE: rewiring a "55 Savoy



Expert

Posts: 3768
200010005001001002525
Location: NorCal
Take a look at the American Autowire Highway 15 kit.

https://www.americanautowire.com/shop/highway-15-wiring-kit
Top of the page Bottom of the page
71charger_fan
Posted 2020-03-04 9:53 PM (#595235 - in reply to #595152)
Subject: Re: rewiring a "55 Savoy


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
I used the Highway 15 kit to rewire my '55 Plaza and it was great. However, I switched to 12 volt negative ground. I would check with the vendor to see if the wire gauges are ok for 6 volt systems. The only tricky part to the 12 volt conversion was the wiper motor as that grounds through the case so it's polarity sensitive. I bought a working 12 volt motor out of a '56.

In '55, they used circuit breakers.

Edited by 71charger_fan 2020-03-04 9:55 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-03-05 12:37 AM (#595239 - in reply to #595235)
Subject: Re: rewiring a "55 Savoy



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9855
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
I don't know when fuses came into the wiring circuits but I know that my 56 Dodge has several heat sensitve
circuit breakers that open if the current is too much. Not as fast as a fuse but better that nothing.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
51coronet
Posted 2020-03-06 5:52 PM (#595324 - in reply to #595152)
Subject: Re: rewiring a "55 Savoy


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 360
1001001002525
The insulation on the wires is fine in the kits. They usually use a THHN type insulation that is rated up to 600 volts. I agree with considering converting it to 12v if you are already going to tackle wiring. I have replaced every wire 1 by 1 in a vehicle in the past it just takes time. Some of the older push in type connectors on the gauges etc. aren't really used anymore so I carefully removed them and soldered them onto the new wire. Its not bad if you have the dash out and or all the gauges for access. Obviously a pre made harness is easier and faster. You can play with all sorts of fuse blocks and circuit breakers. I prefer the manual reset circuit breakers not the auto reset based on temperature. That type is fine when attached to motors. The speed of modern breakers should be plenty for protection. Something is way better than nothing.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
'55 Savoy
Posted 2020-03-07 8:14 AM (#595355 - in reply to #595152)
Subject: RE: rewiring a "55 Savoy



Member

Posts: 14

Thanks everyone for the info/leads on a wiring kit, I'll look into these options and get'er done!!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
71charger_fan
Posted 2020-03-07 7:32 PM (#595381 - in reply to #595152)
Subject: Re: rewiring a "55 Savoy


Elite Veteran

Posts: 667
5001002525
Location: Frederick, MD
My adventures in rewiring: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=63722&...
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Charlie8575
Posted 2020-04-06 1:30 AM (#596486 - in reply to #595152)
Subject: Re: rewiring a "55 Savoy


Regular

Posts: 75
252525
If you'd prefer stock, try Rhode Island Wiring. They reproduce harnesses to original specifications, and I believe they can make the modifications necessary for 12-volt if you so desire.

Charlie Larkin
Top of the page Bottom of the page
westaus29
Posted 2020-04-06 8:30 PM (#596525 - in reply to #595152)
Subject: Re: rewiring a "55 Savoy


Veteran

Posts: 147
10025
Location: Mandurah, Western Australia
I'm sure you're aware that access under the dash absolutely sucks. I had to replace a few globes and a gauge on my 55 Belvedere wagon and even with the front seat removed it was difficult to get hands in behind. Not helped by being 75 not out! Maybe you should remove the dash to do it.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-04-06 9:33 PM (#596531 - in reply to #596525)
Subject: Re: rewiring a "55 Savoy



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9855
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
Compared to a 56 or maybe 55 Dodge, at least the 55 and 56 Plymouths (and Canadian Plodges) have the possibility of removing part of the dash with the gauges as a unit. Can't do that with an American 56 Dodge.

Here are some examples: (the "Nov2019" photos are from SteveB's RHD 56 D63 Dodge (with RHD Plymouth dash) in Oz.):



Edited by 56D500boy 2020-04-06 9:48 PM




(56FuryDash.JPG)



(56FuryDash_Rear_1.JPG)



(56FuryDash_Rear_2.JPG)



(56FuryDash_Rear_3.JPG)



(Nov 2019 (1).JPG)



(Nov 2019 (2).JPG)



(Nov 2019 (3).JPG)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 56FuryDash.JPG (97KB - 229 downloads)
Attachments 56FuryDash_Rear_1.JPG (207KB - 226 downloads)
Attachments 56FuryDash_Rear_2.JPG (215KB - 208 downloads)
Attachments 56FuryDash_Rear_3.JPG (217KB - 238 downloads)
Attachments Nov 2019 (1).JPG (60KB - 214 downloads)
Attachments Nov 2019 (2).JPG (58KB - 230 downloads)
Attachments Nov 2019 (3).JPG (52KB - 235 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Cmangeot
Posted 2020-04-11 11:18 AM (#596675 - in reply to #595152)
Subject: Re: rewiring a "55 Savoy


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 531
50025
Location: Park Hills, KY
I wish RI Wiring made a harness for the 58 Plymouth.
Top of the page Bottom of the page