Test Harness

[Michael B.]

Afternoon Folks,

Within the next 5-10 days I want to fire up the engine, as a test run before I put the body on. Has anyone ever built a basic electrical harness for the starter, ignition, alternator, for a test run of a new engine on rolling chassis. The concept is obviously simple but I'd hate to forget something obvious.

As to other factors I'm thinking the basic caveats are:

1. temp sensor
2. oil sensor
3. momentary switch for the starter
4. transmission in neutral/park
5. maybe raise rear wheel / chock front wheels f&b

oh yes, fire extinguisher !
garage will be open

Thanks for the input.

Michael B.

[Bob S.]

Re: Test Harness

Michael,
The Summer '98 Restorer has an article "An Engine Test Dashboard Box" by Bill Sangrey that gives the whole setup. I was just reading it last week off the new edition Corvette Restorer CD. I have the C1 58 - 60 version but I think they all have the old Restorer issues. The best $40 I ever spent.

Sully

[Michael B.]

Re: Test Harness

Bob,

This is a great starting point. In fact I have the C3 CD (I bought the first edition) and the article was there. This never popped up in my search though.

A few changes need to happen of course. The oil sender is electric. I don't think there is a ballast resister in this ignition - if it is it's in the distributor, but I don't remember it.

I'll draw out the diagram and take some pictures to update this to a C3 test dashboard box.

Thanks a lot.

Michael B.

[Jim T.]

Re: Test Harness

Michael the last Corvette to use a ballast resistor was 1967. The 68-74 point equipped Corvettes used a resistor wire from the fuse block to the coil.