The Ford Barn

Gary WA · 10-29-2025, 11:07 PM

What does the Fordbarn family of Model A Fords think about the New Main Wiring Harness that are on the Market today? Just Curious!!

Joe K · 10-30-2025, 06:33 AM

I have heard that the "dimples" in the circular contact plate are not formed "deep" enough to capture the switch feelers, thus you turn the wheel and it seems to turn your headlights on and off.

Joe K

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 10-30-2025, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary WA

What does the Fordbarn family of Model A Fords think about the New Main Wiring Harness that are on the Market today? Just Curious!!

Specifically which one (-which manufacturer) are you referring to?

Gary WA · 10-30-2025, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Specifically which one (-which manufacturer) are you referring to?

Makes no difference.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 10-30-2025, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary WA

Makes no difference.

Ok, ...maybe not -but some are definitely better quality than others. Since I don't use all of them, not sure I could say which is good and which aren't.

32Ford13 · 10-30-2025, 01:10 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The one I got from Bratton's (Bauer made) was stellar quality and a dream to work with.

Klattu1929 · 10-30-2025, 01:33 PM

I purchased a main 2-bulb harness from Snyders last year, very hard to rotate switch on steering wheel, took apart and added silicone dielectric grease to the dimples. Works great now, have headlights, parking lights, and taillights/brake lights. switch on steering column doesn't move with steering wheel. Two thumbs up.

CarlG · 10-30-2025, 02:14 PM

The harnesses I have purchased from Sacramento Vintage Ford are awesome. Never had a problem with them, some have been in use over 15 years now.

ModelA29 · 10-30-2025, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32Ford13

The one I got from Bratton's (Bauer made) was stellar quality and a dream to work with.

That's where I bought mine. I've had it over a year and will finally install it in the next couple weeks. I bought it because it had the correct headlight contacts.

Y-Blockhead · 10-30-2025, 07:42 PM

If I remember correctly, on some of the new wiring harnesses the bakelite is too thick and causes difficulty in turning the switch.

On Bratton's catalog there used to be a procedure to fix this problem. But it is no longer on their site.

KMBeers · 10-31-2025, 04:27 AM

Mine was tight from Snyder’s as well, Jus like post 7 I used a little grease but also used a 5/16 ballmill by hand and dressed the dimples a little deeper. Been 3 years and 2k miles and works perfectly

Bob Bidonde · 10-31-2025, 10:52 AM

These slides may help fix the light switch issue.

rotorwrench · 10-31-2025, 11:11 AM

Bauer Electronics may be a main source for most Model A parts suppliers. Rhode Island Wire coats their insulation which may help it last longer. The woven cloth wire covering doesn't seem to stay color fast very long if it's exposed to too much humidity and especially sun light. The old original stuff used a resin under the outer covering that didn't last as well as the modern insulation so any of the newer stuff is more durable in that respect. The only problems I've noticed is that the modern stuff seems to have a larger cross sectional diameter than the original so getting the modern stuff to fit into multi wire conduits and the like can be a challenge on cars of the late 40s & early 50s. This isn't an issue on the older Fords like the model A

10-30-2025, 06:33 AM	#2
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 5,013	Re: Today's Main Model A Wiring Harness I have heard that the "dimples" in the circular contact plate are not formed "deep" enough to capture the switch feelers, thus you turn the wheel and it seems to turn your headlights on and off. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

10-30-2025, 01:10 PM	#6
32Ford13 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Redneck Ranch on Hot Rod Hill Posts: 114	Re: Today's Main Model A Wiring Harness Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The one I got from Bratton's (Bauer made) was stellar quality and a dream to work with.

10-30-2025, 01:33 PM	#7
Klattu1929 Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: Washington State Posts: 93	Re: Today's Main Model A Wiring Harness I purchased a main 2-bulb harness from Snyders last year, very hard to rotate switch on steering wheel, took apart and added silicone dielectric grease to the dimples. Works great now, have headlights, parking lights, and taillights/brake lights. switch on steering column doesn't move with steering wheel. Two thumbs up.

10-30-2025, 02:14 PM	#8
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,211	Re: Today's Main Model A Wiring Harness The harnesses I have purchased from Sacramento Vintage Ford are awesome. Never had a problem with them, some have been in use over 15 years now. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

10-30-2025, 07:42 PM	#10
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 7,288	Re: Today's Main Model A Wiring Harness If I remember correctly, on some of the new wiring harnesses the bakelite is too thick and causes difficulty in turning the switch. On Bratton's catalog there used to be a procedure to fix this problem. But it is no longer on their site.

10-31-2025, 04:27 AM	#11
KMBeers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 152	Re: Today's Main Model A Wiring Harness Mine was tight from Snyder’s as well, Jus like post 7 I used a little grease but also used a 5/16 ballmill by hand and dressed the dimples a little deeper. Been 3 years and 2k miles and works perfectly

10-31-2025, 11:11 AM	#13
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,006	Re: Today's Main Model A Wiring Harness Bauer Electronics may be a main source for most Model A parts suppliers. Rhode Island Wire coats their insulation which may help it last longer. The woven cloth wire covering doesn't seem to stay color fast very long if it's exposed to too much humidity and especially sun light. The old original stuff used a resin under the outer covering that didn't last as well as the modern insulation so any of the newer stuff is more durable in that respect. The only problems I've noticed is that the modern stuff seems to have a larger cross sectional diameter than the original so getting the modern stuff to fit into multi wire conduits and the like can be a challenge on cars of the late 40s & early 50s. This isn't an issue on the older Fords like the model A