Topic: Tag Light Wire

[Bill Cabaniss]

 My 66 coupe has the original tag light and wiring with ink stamp c4de-c on the wire inside the trunk area. The cloth type braided cover has deteriorated and fell off within the last year on the outside. The rule book states: Tag light wire must have braided black tar cover. I am not fimiliar with a black tar cover. Both of my cars had cover material like the covering on the trunk wiring harness.
 Can someone explain to me what the black tar cover is, and hopefully where I can get one, and then how I can fit it over my original wire. I am not willing to part with my original light and wire. Any help and advise will be appreciated.
This is a dearborn car, date 5-14-66. thanks, Bill.

[CharlesTurner]

If you have the original tail light wiring inside the trunk, flip the trunk mat up and you will see a black cloth covering over the gas tank sending unit lead.  The covering on that section is exactly what should be on the license plate light wire (on the outside only.)

[Bill Cabaniss]

I lifted up the mat and I do have the stiffer black coated covering going across the trunk and then starting again outside and extending to the sending unit. It is in excellent shape too. Looks like I wil have to visit the salvage yard again and cut a piece and fit it to my wire at the tag light. Thanks Charles. Bill.

[rockhouse66]

Or you could buy a new one (p. 163, upper rh corner);

http://npd.dirxion.com/WebProject.asp?BookCode=tan09flx#

[Twilight65]

I purchased a new cloth piece from NPD as shown above. Then I removed the light bulb, pushed the wire through the front of the brass socket. I cut the wire at the crimp. pulled the wire out through the back of the brass socket and rubber piece. Installed new cloth covering. put the wire back through the socket then stripped the wire back just a little and soldered it to the crimp connector. Put everything back together works good and looks brand new.

Dave

My car is a May 13, 1966 Dearborn. Here's a pic of my restored light

[Bill Cabaniss]

 Thanks Jim, but the repro cover from npd and virginia mustang appear to be the same and the tube is gloss white and the diameter is small, and the grommet is small too. They do tell you this but it doesn't help you if you are looking to stay original. I have seen parts like these for many years. Someone makes a repro part but leaves something about it a little different than original. Then "here comes the judge" and we take a point or two off for it. Thanks for trying Jim. Bill.

[Bill Cabaniss]

 Dave, our cars were born on the same day on the same assembly line,KOOL. I was wondering when I found a cover, how to install it and it look original and proper. You have answered that question for me. I will do what you did. Thanks ,Bill.

[rockhouse66]

Bill - I guess you have put two and two together and realize I was referring you to the black wire covering, not the repro light with the white cover?  I also reworked mine using the black covering as described.

[CharlesTurner]

It's amazing to me how far off the mark the repro plate light wiring is off.  There basically is nothing correct about it.

I'll restore 100 originals before I use one of those junky repro's.

[rockhouse66]

Charles - you are right of course.  I had to swap the wire and boot from my old light, recover the old wire, swap the lens and screw from the old light, etc.  I have learned to view most repro stuff as a "kit" to use as a starting point and then you see if you can rework it into something you can use.

[Bill Cabaniss]

 Jim, I'm sorry, I was so focused on those "white" repro covers that I didn't see the black cover material you were actually referring to. Thanks for pointing that out to me. This will save me from cutting into a otherwise good harness from a salvage car. Boy, I really do like this web site. Bill.
 

[Twilight65]

I'm with Charles. Nothing like restoring the original. the only thing new on mine is the asphalt wire loom and the gasket for the light cover. cleaned everything,  re-plated, restored.

Dave

[Bill Cabaniss]

 I found a piece of the braid cloth this morning and did exactly what Dave told me to do with the wire. Put the braid cover on and soldered the wire back together and it looks great and works as well. Thanks to yall I have saved one more original part, and left one repro part on the shelf where it belongs. Bill.

[mjd 65]

I purchased a new cloth piece from NPD as shown above. Then I removed the light bulb, pushed the wire through the front of the brass socket. I cut the wire at the crimp. pulled the wire out through the back of the brass socket and rubber piece. Installed new cloth covering. put the wire back through the socket then stripped the wire back just a little and soldered it to the crimp connector. Put everything back together works good and looks brand new.

Dave

My car is a May 13, 1966 Dearborn. Here's a pic of my restored light

So glad I found this post!  This technique worked perfectly on my license plate light.  My only remaining problem is that the grommet is in bad shape. And I'd like to replace it before I solder the wires back together.  Does anyone know if the grommet is available?

[Philma]

I cleaned the entire assembly and am going to send it out for plating. Is there a secret to getting the rubber boot off?
I actually put a small tear in it trying to see how it is attached.