Dave -
I would counsel you not to buy the PVC harness. I thought the same as
you a while back when I bought a PVC wrapped harness for my BJ8. I
thought it would last forever... I was wrong.
In fact, I think they are less durable than the braided harnesses.
When the wires get wrapped in PVC, they are typically wrapped very
tight and as a result when you are manipulating the harness to get it
in the car, you run a very high risk of rubbing and kinking the inside
wires together because they have no room to move whatsover. You
will have to twist the harness around a bit to get it in the car.
This happened to me, and after only about 18 months (after putting the
harness in the car), the primary ignition wire grounded somehow (in
the harness itself) and caught on fire. Thankfully I had the presence
of mind to run to the back of the car and switch off the battery
switch.
I was lucky, there was little damage and I was able to run a seperate
ignition wire and got the car running rather quickly again. It's
lasted to now (15 years later) but to be honest I'd rather have a
braided harness in my BJ8. When I get around to it, I'll replace it I
guess. The braided harnesses are not as tightly wrapped, and they are
flexible enough to allow wires to move around a bit as you are
installing the harness... Plus the braided harnesses allow moisture
to escape out of the harness... a PVC one will not.
Regards,
Alan
'53 BN1 '64 BJ8
On 4/23/05, HealeyBN7@aol.com <HealeyBN7@aol.com> wrote:
> I am getting ready to order a new wiring harness. Looking on the British
> Wiring web site I see 3 main harness choices for the MK1 BN7: Concours Spec,
> Non-Concours Braided, and PVC tape wrap. I have sent in for a quote on all
>3.
> Other than price - what is the basic difference between the concours and
> non-concours spec harness? I assume the PVC tape wrap harness is the least
> expensive, and probably the most durable. My restoration is not intended to
>be
> concours, but it is going to be pretty 'correct', so I am looking at all
> choices right now. Thanks for any opinions/advice.
>
> Dave
> 61 BN7
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