I have purchased a complete wiring kit from Ron Francis and am getting nearer to installing it in my '63. All wires are color coded and have the name of the electical component they attach to. I am anxious to get installin'. However, I have several concerns that perhaps some of you could help me with.
1. I want to use my current dash cluster, but only want to use the fuel, H2O & speedo located w/i the cluster itself. These items appeared to work before I pulled my engine to do some frame-work, but I didn't drive it enough to know how accurate they may have been. So I want to hook up the old OEM fuel, H2O and speedo from the cluster, and then I want to use aftermarket elec/oil and volt gauges. I have a 289 with alternator. Assuming I can manage this, do any of you see any electical conflict here?
2. I want to install a Petronix no points set up in the distributor. However, as it stands now, I have an external resistor(?) located on the outside of my coil. I want to get a new coil when I make this change. Will I still need this resistor(?) when I install the new Petronix? What kind of coil do I need to get, anything special? Also, I would like to get some preformed spark plug wires in blue to fit the 289. Any suggestions? I really don't want a universal/make your own wire setup.
3. My current alternator has 42 amps stamped on the back. Would it be wise to upgrade? I plan on adding power windows and maybe air, but no plans for some super sounds. Thanks to all for your help and advice
Jim

 

I would definetly upgrade to a higher output alternator if you are planning on adding all of that. I would go to at least 100 amps.

 

Does the wiring you bought say it is made for the original guages? If not, you need to get a original wiring diagram for your truck, and compare how the new harness hooks up compared to how the original guages hooked up. If your original guage cluster used a voltage regulator on the cluster, you will need to include it in the new wiring, just as an example.

Your additional guages will be aftermarket, and should come with instructions on how they should be hooked up. Again, you will have to look at your new wiring harness instructions to see how they allowed for these guages and see if it jives with the instructions with the new guages.

I would also follow the instructions that come with the pertonix module. They've had different versions, so I would see what they say about leaving the resistor in, or taking it out. Or call them up. I wouldn't want to jeopardize the warrenty by hooking it up different than what they recommend.