1957 behind the driver wiring question

[Frank C.]

About to install my fuel tank. I want to take advantage of the freedom of space while it's out. What goes to the two clips and 3/4" hole in the rear of the compartment behind the driver? Radio antenna? I don't think so. Rear lamp wiring? I don't think so. Hydraulic top (which my car never had) wiring?
I've attached two pics, one of the above clips and hole. The other shows the rear lamp/fuel tank wiring that I never removed for body restoration and paint. I don't remember ever removing anything from the clips and hole in question but that was a long time ago. There's also a 7/8" hole down by the fuel tank wiring. I don't know what that's for either. Thanks, Frank Condron

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

Frank,

AIM Section 12 sheet 5 - Body Wiring Harness

Gary
....

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

Here's a snapshot of the 1957 AIM Sec 12 Sheet 5 showing the rear harness which appears identical to your harness routing.
1957_Sec12_Sheet 5.jpg

Those 2 clips and 3/4" hole were likely for the radio antenna cable someone added later? Dealer added? Normally the antenna cable goes under the kick panel access like the rear harness, then up and over the inner fender.
1957_Antenna.jpg


Not sure what that 7/8" hole under the tank is for.

Rich

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

Main Wiring Harness
1957 AIM - Section 12 Sheet 5_043023.jpg

[Frank C.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

Thanks to both of you. I'm good on the routing of my rear lamp (body harness). Likewise the 7/8" hole under the tank is for fuel filler neck drain hose I figured out. And Richard, I can see a dealer routing the antenna as you suggest. It's a whole lot easier than the factory routing. And there was a hand drilled 3/8" dia. X 2" long shallow hole under the kick plate and sill plate for the antenna that sure didn't look factory. The paint shop filled it in. So I guess my radio (Wonderbar) was not factory. Thanks again.
And, Gary. Nice color car on your profile. Frank

[Mike M.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

if u intend to install the radio coax cable like the factory did, u are in for a PITA job as factory coax cables were installed in the same manner as the rear wiring harness, ie, between the left rear inner skirt and the rear top surround, BEFORE the top surround was bonded on the rest of the body. hence, there is just enough room for the factory harness and coax to fit at that point. I recently had to install a replacement rear main harness in vin 5229. I used a rotary bit( a long one, inserted it thru the trunk area) and ended up breaking thru the inner skit( on purpose as I didnt want to repair the freshly painted rear top surround should I break thru it. as I recall, there was a 1" diameter hole in the inner skirt which I simply repaired after fishing the rear harness to its destination. good luck, mike mccagh

[Patrick S.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

How do you get into the door sill to replace that piece of the wireing. It looked to me like the wire is sealed in the area. I took the easy way and ran the wires on top of the sill on 5813.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

if u intend to install the radio coax cable like the factory did, u are in for a PITA job as factory coax cables were installed in the same manner as the rear wiring harness, ie, between the left rear inner skirt and the rear top surround, BEFORE the top surround was bonded on the rest of the body. hence, there is just enough room for the factory harness and coax to fit at that point.

I recently had to install a replacement rear main harness in vin 5229.

I used a rotary bit( a long one, inserted it thru the trunk area) and ended up breaking thru the inner skit( on purpose as I didnt want to repair the freshly painted rear top surround should I break thru it.

as I recall, there was a 1" diameter hole in the inner skirt which I simply repaired after fishing the rear harness to its destination.

good luck, mike mccagh

Mike,

What was your method to fish the new rear harness under the sill?

Could you have left the hole as-is after you cut it? Or did you do the repair to maintain the originality?

Rich

How do you get into the door sill to replace that piece of the wireing. It looked to me like the wire is sealed in the area. I took the easy way and ran the wires on top of the sill on 5813.

I've not done it, but this may be a method....

If the existing wiring is there, I'd cut it at the grommets, and firmly attach a string to the old wire and pull it through. Then attach the new wires to the pull-string and pull through. The pull would have to be from rear to front, pulling on the 5 pigtail wires(right side of below photo) which plug into the main harness under the dash. Can't pull from front to rear because the tail lamp sockets are too big.
661293.main.jpg

The caveat of course, is getting the new wires through the gusset bonded into the rocker panel(shown below). There must be a hole there, but the pull-wrap could be taped up smoothly to make a easier transition through that hole. That hole in the gusset captures the rear harness and antenna cable if equipped. It might take some wiggling back and forth to get it done.
If it's a Big Brake car, the gusset won't be there, a easier path for the wires to pull through.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

ricH: I repaired the 1 diameter hole I created so as not to introduce dust/dirt,rain water into the trunk and cockpit. simple cut a piece of glass cloth and bonded it over my hole and the harness. mike

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

Mike, Thanks for the explanation about your mods...

I edited my last post, and I think you missed it, and added another question out of curiosity.....

What was your method to fish the new rear harness under the sill?

Rich

[Mike M.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

rich: i can't remember how i did it but i think i pulled it with a coat hanger. mike

[Frank C.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

Thanks to everyone. Here's a pic of my friends '57, vin about 2500. My vin is 4906. He remembers his antenna cable running through the grommet and clips. He also has the two inch angled 3/8' hole in his rocker. So to sum it up: there is an alternate antenna cable routing (Dealer?) The cable comes from behind the driver's kick panel, around the bottom of the A-pillar, under the sill plate, angling down through the rocker under the rear of the sill plate at the step plate, up the back panel to the three clips and grommet into the trunk and under the outer quarter panel to the antenna. Frank Earle's car.jpeg

[Steven B.]

Re: 1957 behind the driver wiring question

Over the decades I have seen '57's with Motorolas, one with cable routed on driver's side (not exact factory routing) and another with cable routed on pass side. In early 60's I talked with a Chevy salesman who told me they used to sell without a Wonder
Bar and install usually a Motorola as they had a better margin. He said that pretty much stopped due to the cramped space of 1958 and newer. Sometimes on cars with replaced cables they will be cut close to the fiberglass with the stub left in.