Help me with a rear battery setup and harness crimpers.

[Rileys68Camaro]

I have a few dumb questions.

Is it safe to run the battery cables inside the car and where do you attach the negative cable to?

What grommets or bulkhead connectors do I need?

What's a good crimper to use on the Painless harness?



Wiring a 68 Camaro, kinda new at this game.

Thanks!

[Kenova]

I ran my starter cable inside the car from the battery and have the solenoid in the trunk also. This way the starter cable is only live when you are cranking. To go through the firewall, you can use a bulkhead junction from Summit pt# sum-g1431. I went to a local electrical supply store and bought a knock-out connector that has a compressable rubber grommet in it, kind of like a really big ferrel and nut setup. It needed a smaller hole. The cable was passed through it and then the nut was tightened. It is water proof, and holds the cable tightly.
My alternator wire will be run directly to the battery in the same fashion, with a fuse at both the alt. and the battery.
Any power supply cables I run from the battery to the dash or engine compartment will be fused near the battery and run through the passenger compartment. If you are worried about the insulation getting worn through, you can use some of the part store wire conduit to give your cables some extra protection. I believe the cables would be safer insde the car than underneath it.
You should be able to ground the battery to the trunk floor. Make sure your engine and subframe are also grounded to the body.
Take your time and think each and every circut through before you pick up any tools.
Ken

[Rileys68Camaro]

Another dumb question, how do you fuse battery cables, and how do you keep it looking clean?

The knock out connector was used for your firewall or through panel between the truck and inside the car, or just grommets?

Did you mount your ignition or coil inside the dash? How'd that work out if you did?

Thanks! Working hard not to have to redo any more than I already have to.

[Kenova]

For the knockout connector I drilled a hole just to the right of the trans tunnel, just below where the firewall bends towards the rear. This lines up with the starter, and with the connector (fitting might be a better term) painted black like the firewall, it all but vanishes. There is room under the rear seat to pass the cables into the trunk. This is where using the plastic wire conduit would be a good idea.
The cable for the starter isn't fused, but the cables for the alternator and any other power supply cable will be. A good car audio shop can sell you the quality power cable and fuses (they're big 'uns)
My coil (MSD Blaster 3) is mounted on the engine for that "stock" look, but my MSD Digital6 box will be mounted inside. There are empty slots in the factory bulkhead connector and engine harness connector. Any wires for the ign. box will be routed through the factory connectors and incorporated into the engine harness for a nice clean look (if I can find the right terminal ends ) .
I guess you could say I'm working hard to redo anything I don't have to.
Ken

[Rileys68Camaro]

I was planning on welding cable or a kit and don't see how to get a fuse in there. I'll shop around and see what I can find.

I'm going to leave the Blaster on the engine, and probably mount the ignition on the fenderwell.

[rockdogz]

I'm going to be going through the same thing - trunk mounted battery, '68, Painless harness. I'm no pro at wiring, but found a lot of info at the MAD site: http://www.madelectrical.com. I ordered the new system kit from Mark - he seems to really know his stuff. He recommends fusible links a lot instead of fuses. There's a lot of info at his site - he's hard to get a hold of though, because he's been sick lately, but I would keep trying.

Tom

:rolleyes5

[BAD6SPD]

These were being test fit before final crimp and shrink tube...

[CAMAROBOY69]

I have always loved the way Jeff(BAD6SPD) ran his wires. Very very nice!

[Kenova]

Damn, why didn't I think of that. You've done an excellent job of hiding your heavy cables Jeff. Guess I'll have to reroute mine.
Ken