1957 Wiring diagram

[valhalla 4771]

I'm installing new wiring everywhere. I'm at the headlights/parking lamps, horns, and horn relay. After chewing off all my fingernails I finally figured out (yeah, slow learner) that the wire harness I bought does not match the color codes any of the diagrams I'm following. In fact the three diagrams I'm looking at are all different, at least for the front end. I've decided that a diagram compiled by Leo Affi in 1985 (revised in 1989, and 2008) is the easiest to follow an appears comprehensive. And the print is big enough for these old eyes. Questions:
1. Is there anything better out there?
2. My plan du jour is to change the color coding on the diagram to match the wire/stripes/connectors on the harnesses I have purchased. Is there any reason not to do this? My car is not for show.

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[4VE]

The original dwgs are compile in a book you can buy from Larry's Thunderbird and Mustang in CA. The print is small but the wires are coded per Ford in 57. The book is about 30-40. They also sell the looms. Where did you get your wire loom (harness) from? I have similar issues on my 55 + ground 6V system. Plenty of crank but no spark. Here is a great resource for you: sorry, Biddle says no posting other sites. Go fish.

 

[mark costello]

I'm installing new wiring everywhere. I'm at the headlights/parking lamps, horns, and horn relay. After chewing off all my fingernails I finally figured out (yeah, slow learner) that the wire harness I bought does not match the color codes any of the diagrams I'm following. In fact the three diagrams I'm looking at are all different, at least for the front end. I've decided that a diagram compiled by Leo Affi in 1985 (revised in 1989, and 2008) is the easiest to follow an appears comprehensive. And the print is big enough for these old eyes. Questions:
1. Is there anything better out there?
2. My plan du jour is to change the color coding on the diagram to match the wire/stripes/connectors on the harnesses I have purchased. Is there any reason not to do this? My car is not for show.

I have a really nice 10" by 16" color caded wireng diagram laminated i bought from ClassicCarWiring.com for my 59. maybe they have one for your baby bird

 

[valhalla 4771]

I have both the full set of wiring diagrams from Ford and the color glossy from ClassicCarWiring. I’m leaning towards putting tape on the wires to conform to the FoMo diagram.

 

[cokefirst]

I use Bauer Electronics out of Bend Oregon. His wiring is excellent, with the correct ends. I know you bought your wiring already. You can probably sort through the wiring and substitute the new colors that are replacing the factory ones.

 

[Ward 57]

I use Bauer Electronics out of Bend Oregon. His wiring is excellent, with the correct ends. I know you bought your wiring already. You can probably sort through the wiring and substitute the new colors that are replacing the factory ones.

I'm just amazed at how many people mess with the original wiring without understanding the rime or reasoning behind it. It becomes an absolute nightmare for those who try to trace a wire from origin to termination. An Unmodified electrical system is very rare indeed.

 

[cokefirst]

Many owners of classic cars are not satisfied with the stock vehicle. I am not opposed to you doing with your car as you wish. I cringe at some of the people who modify their cars with little or no understanding of how to do it properly. There are several aftermarket harnesses out there and the hot rodders rave about Ron Francis, EZ Wire etc. If you want a restomod with lots of aftermarket electrical then those are probably the way to go. I like to keep mine stock, that is why I use Bauer. In my opinion, his harnesses are as close to the ones used on the assembly line as you can get. They have the right ends, and they fit and work just like to original. The problem is that some of the suppliers get Bauer harnesses along with ones from other suppliers. He does not really like to deal with individual customers, but he will. He sells to all the vendors but they also buy some from him and some from other sources. I can tell his from the others by the ends and the fact that there is a diagram included with each sub harness he sells.

 

[valhalla 4771]

Many owners of classic cars are not satisfied with the stock vehicle. I am not opposed to you doing with your car as you wish. I cringe at some of the people who modify their cars with little or no understanding of how to do it properly. There are several aftermarket harnesses out there and the hot rodders rave about Ron Francis, EZ Wire etc. If you want a restomod with lots of aftermarket electrical then those are probably the way to go. I like to keep mine stock, that is why I use Bauer. In my opinion, his harnesses are as close to the ones used on the assembly line as you can get. They have the right ends, and they fit and work just like to original. The problem is that some of the suppliers get Bauer harnesses along with ones from other suppliers. He does not really like to deal with individual customers, but he will. He sells to all the vendors but they also buy some from him and some from other sources. I can tell his from the others by the ends and the fact that there is a diagram included with each sub harness he sells.

I think I have purchased every harness from one or another of the Tbird catalogues. If I find the need I’ll give Baurer a call. Thanks.

 

[cokefirst]

If you received the harness sections and there is a sheet of paper inside with a diagram of the wiring for that section, then that is probably a Bauer harness. Chris Olsen is the owner. He bought the company from a gentleman named Bauer who originally ran the company out of Minnesota? He sells to most of the Thunderbird and Ford suppliers, but they sometimes buy harnesses from 3-4 different suppliers. I just ordered a complete harness for a 57 that we are working on for a friend from him. I am sold, but as always, YMMV!

 

[Ponydoc]

I got my harness from NPD. We also got the last laminated wiring diagram and everything pretty much matched. The PO had the original harness so patched, it fried on me one day. I also got a lot of the connectors and replaced them as well. I even had to have the overdrive relay rebuilt.