Hello everyone!
Still got some problems on my dart '68!
The previous owner did so many damn things i can't list them but one of them concerns the engine bay wiring harness...
The wires are all over the place, one out of two is disconnected etc etc...

Actually, my problem is : i have found a way to fire the engine (at least i think, i didn't try) since i found the wire that goes from the thing with the key (?) to the starter solenoïd. I'm gonna connect the starter, the distributor and all that stuff but through which wire should i plug some +12V so that it goes out on this wire (that comes from the thing with the key) when i turn the key?
And through which other (or not) wire should i send some +12V to make all the accesories work. I suppose they are connected under the dashboard.
I, of course, will connect the rest of the wiring harness to the lights etc...
Thanks for your help if you understood me!


Marc

P.S : by the way : is there a risk to run my engine without ballast resistor?

You really, really need the factory manuel de mecanicien for your car. This is the first item to buy after the car purchase, not the last. They are only expensive if you buy the reprints—used originals can be had inexpensively.

At the very least, you need a factory wiring diagram, which you can obtain for free Here (this is the diagram for a '71 Dart, but it will serve your needs since almost nothing differs in the wiring between '68 and '71).

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I know Dan, I really should get it... I'm trying to find something under 30$ but it's not an easy task... Anyway, i salready have the wiring diagrams but my wiring harness is such a mess i don't even imagine myself repairing it!
For now, i just want to get the engine running and a few lights working. It will be more than enough to work on!
I 've got another question : on a few /6 starters i see two wires connected to the big pole (don't know about the exact word). What are they? On my wiring diagram i only see one and it seems that mine only has one connected too...
The second question is still the same : do i risk something by running the engine without ballast resistor?
Thanks a lot for your help! I'm kinda lost inside all the crap the previous owner left!

Marc

Keep track of This one.
They are part of the charging system. In some years, on some vehicles, the starter's large terminal (or "pole") is used as a connection point for the vehicle's main charging circuit.
Sorry about that, I forgot to answer. Yes, you need to have the ballast resistor, car sinon, les points de contact d'allumage brûleront rapidement!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Nice one! we commonly call these "les rupteurs". I guess the direct translation would be "the breakers".
That means the alternator is connected to it?

I'm gonna go to my local junkyard and try to find a ballast resistor. Anyone will do?

Thanks a lot for the auction number! I hope it will stay low enough...

Marc

And by the way, have you got any idea of how much would cost a NEW wiring harness for the engine bay? I saw an used one on ebaymotors but i don't wanna risk 40-50€ for a harness that might have some cuts!
Thanks again!

Marc

New wiring harness would be very expensive indeed, if you could even find one for a slant-6 car. You could adapt a new V8 harness, but I think those cost about $600.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

You might check at Year One. M & R Electronics out of CA repros harnesses exclusively for YO. I bought a complete engine/headlight harness for a 70 Dart a few years back and if I remember, the price wasn't that hateful. You might also check with Evans Wiring evanswiring.tripod.com. They are reproing mainly the 66 thru 74 years. I bought a 66 Barracuda engine harness for my 65 Dart wagon (special project) at this year's Nats - only $100. They took my 65 harness and will be reproing both the engine and headlight harness for my other 65 A Bodies.

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65 Dart station wagon slant 6 - now under construction
47 Dodge Custom 4 Door sedan
87 D100 Short Bed slant 6

Retired USAF 1966-1986
Retired US Postal Service 2004-2014

Now, that looks like a valuable resource. I'm bookmarking them...maybe they'll be able to put together a really tough harness I need made (for a one-of-none '92 Spirit).

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Speaking of wiring harnesses, does anyone know where I can get the flat connectors that have the tab to lock inside the original plastic plugs?

Small quantities or large?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I guess that depends on price... I know I won't use 100 in my life, but if we're talking 10.00 for the hundred, I'd do it.

Terminal Supply, www.terminalsupplyco.com . Their catalogue is a huge download, but worth it. What you're after are called "Packard Terminals", and they're on page 43.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Evans Wiring also can supply terminals and the factory plastic connectors in quanitities of 1 to whatever. They have had made a lot of the NS1 connectors and wiring stuff. He advised me that they are currently having repro'd the firecwall bulkhead connectors for 65 and earlier (the ones that use the separate alternator wiring. They also do engine harnesses for both points and electronic built-in (brain box located behind core support.

For SSD - I would imagine they could probably do a one-off harness for your Spirit. I would expect it wouldn't be cheap.

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65 Dart station wagon slant 6 - now under construction
47 Dodge Custom 4 Door sedan
87 D100 Short Bed slant 6

Retired USAF 1966-1986
Retired US Postal Service 2004-2014

Thanks guys for all these precious infos! Still didn't start the motor yet but i keep on working although I'm kinda down since a few days, i found my dart has also a very rusty body under the paint... added to a non running /6. way cool!