Messages

1

Originality / Re: Unique Radio/Stereo Combination for 69’ Camaro

« on: November 21, 2023, 12:59:47 PM »

You mention the console mounted 8 track only being applicable for the AC cars, but is there also clearance issue between the dash mounted unit and a factory console gauge setup?

2

Originality / Re: Unique Radio/Stereo Combination for 69’ Camaro

« on: November 09, 2023, 03:54:36 PM »

I found something which others might find interesting. As you’ve pointed out here 69 Camaros had a console mounted 8 track. But Heart Beat City just posted a SS396 12,000 mile survivor Camaro. It has a dash mounted 8 track. The paperwork from GM is shown and this looks like the dash 8 track was installed from the factory. Production date was around march 1969. Like console 8 tracks, this was stereo.

My car has holes under the dash around where a 8 track would mount.

https://www.heartbeatcitycamaro.com/cars_for_sale/1969_Camaro_SS_396_375_L78_Silver_Gallery/index.html

3

Originality / Re: Unique Radio/Stereo Combination for 69’ Camaro

« on: November 03, 2023, 12:54:54 AM »

Thanks for the picture of your harness. This has been really helpful.

I know almost all the first gen camaro connectors are packard 56 style. But there is a male terminal on one of my radio connectors that I can’t identify. It plugs into a female packard 56 but doesn’t have the cut across the middle. It secures into the connector with a tab. Here is a picture

 Anyone know what these are called? I need to buy a few more.

4

Originality / Re: Unique Radio/Stereo Combination for 69’ Camaro

« on: October 09, 2023, 11:30:31 AM »

I think there is some misunderstanding on what I’m saying… this car at least came with a center speaker, and TWO rear speakers.

I am curious if this could have been the setup… 8 track stereo with a mono radio. That’s the only way you can get a front speaker and two in the rear. I think the kick panel speakers were take out before I got the car. See the attached wiring diagram for a factory configuration like this.

Thoughts?

5

Originality / Re: Factory wiring for rear window defogger

« on: April 29, 2023, 11:57:28 AM »

David K, I didn’t see any instructions under “camaro defog” on eBay. If you could post a link or the pictures I would really appreciate it!

6

Maintenance / Re: Amp Meter Resistance, my gauge moves very little

« on: April 27, 2023, 06:18:26 PM »

I discovered my problem…. Years ago I soldered the crimp connection at the horn relay splice where the wires In  the harness split to run back to the gauge. Soldering this connection lowered the resistance enough to effect the gauge.  The lower the resistance of the connection the lower the voltage drop and effecting the sensitivity.

To fix the problem I added a length of wire between the in harness splice and the junction block.  The gauge now reads accurate.

7

Originality / Re: SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS ON VALVE COVERS

« on: April 27, 2023, 12:14:02 PM »

From the factory these are plated and as you probably know the ends are over molded in soft black rubber where they touch the plug wires.

I have always seen the holders with the hollow side up.  Also be aware there are 3 different plug wire clips.

1. Standard 3 prong, very common, two per engine.
2. horizontal 3 prong and one vertical, making an “L”. One per engine.
3. the last one has another feature that holds the coolant temp sensor wire, if your car came equipped this way. Also one per engine.

8

Originality / Re: Factory wiring for rear window defogger

« on: April 26, 2023, 11:56:59 PM »

American auto wire example:

https://www.rickscamaros.com/camaro-rear-defogger-wiring-harness-1969-33-180002-1.html

Example of new old stock instructions for the same GM harness. I’m questioning if this is how the Van Nuys or Norwood plants would have done it.

9

Originality / Factory wiring for rear window defogger

« on: April 26, 2023, 11:44:21 PM »

Hello,

I recently purchased a rear window defogger for my 69 Camaro. I want to keep the wiring as close to original as possible. My question… would the factory have these connections bundled into the main dash trunk etc harnesses? Or would they have used what I’ll call an accessory harness like you would buy from American auto wire and others.

There are even some GM new old stock harness that resemble the American auto wire stuff.  They plug into the dash switch, and a 12 volt accessory port on the fuses block to make it work. Did the factory do our cars this way?

On my car there are a number of empty pin positions In the factory dash harness where it splits off towards the rear of the car, just behind the headlight switch.  Makes me think these pins would have been utilized for an instance like mine.

10

Maintenance / Re: Amp Meter Resistance, my gauge moves very little

« on: January 03, 2023, 02:36:37 PM »

I’m wondering if the under hood wiring harness for gauge cars might have used a different wire between the junction block and horn relay. With the key off and a 15-18A load, I see a 0.1V drop between the two points.

I know these gauges are sensitive, but I expected more of a voltage drop. I hear they are a 0-1V range. 15 amps is at least 1/3 of the scale and should be closer to 0.3V.

11

Maintenance / Amp Meter Resistance, my gauge moves very little

« on: January 02, 2023, 07:12:23 PM »

I retrofitted my 69 Camaro with factory console gauges about 10 years ago. The amp meter never moves more than the width of the needle in either direction but does respond as you’d expect when lights are cut on etc. After rechecking my wiring, everything appears correct.

Can someone tell me the resistance the gauge should measure across the black and black/white terminals? I don’t believe this gauge uses a ground, but please let me know if I am mistaken.

Neither terminal on my gauge shows a connection to ground and the resistance between them is 0.6 ohms. When running, I have about O.150v between the horn relay splice in the harness and junction block when drawing 15A from the battery (high beams, dome light etc.). At the gauge I only see 0.015V during these same conditions.

I don have a EE degree but it’s been 10 years since I cracked a book, so tell me if I’m being an idiot