Routing Wires

I’m preparing to install the wiring on my 1931 Victoria, and I’m looking for reference material that illustrates or describes how and where the wiring should be routed along the frame, including the placement of wire clips. Specifically, I want to know if the clips should be attached to the upper or lower edge of the frame rail, whether they go over or under the frame, and so on. This applies to the wiring from the light switch to the headlights, tail lights, and the stop light switch. While I have a schematic layout, I haven’t been able to locate any drawings or photos showing the physical locations. Your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:

Here’s a general guideline for routing and attaching wiring on your 1931 Victoria:

  • Headlight Loom:
    • From the light switch bulb, use a loom clip to secure the headlight loom to the bottom of the front-most hood bracket (the screw near the hood latch at the rear). This is documented in the Ford Service bulletins.
    • The left headlight and horn loom should run under and behind the lower radiator to the shell bracket and exit through the shell grommet holes.
    • The right headlight loom runs along the bottom of the radiator and attaches to the radiator using three bend-up tabs. These tabs were soldered to the top edge of the bottom radiator tank. Then, route these wires under and behind the lower radiator to the shell bracket.
  • Tail Light Wires:
    • The wires for the rear tail lights should go under and around the motor mounts.
    • Then, route them along the bottom inside of the frame rail and secure them with a clip to the bottom frame rail.
    • Continue routing through the center cross member, using three wire loom clips to attach the harness along the inside of the bottom frame rail.
    • As the wires approach the rear cross member, guide them over the rear cross member to the frame’s upper rear corner bracket where they should be fastened with a clip.
    • Finally, route the wires to the fender light.

This routing should help you properly secure and organize the wiring on your 1931 Victoria.

Did You Know …

The Morgan Traffic Signal

Did You Know

Garrett Morgan (March 4, 1877–July 27, 1963) was an inventor and businessman from Cleveland who is best known for inventing a device called the Morgan [...]

One Hundred Years Ago

Did You Know

One hundred years ago, as 1923 ended, Ford had produced 2,011,125 Model T’s that year alone. This is still today the highest figure ever achieved by a single model in a single year. Thanks to these production numbers, Ford was able to sell these cars at a low price. For example, you could buy a Runabout for $260, the equivalent of $4,815 today.

Model A Ignition System

Did You Know

Basically, the points fire the coil, the coil fires the plug, the spark at the plug starts the flame and the ignition systems job is done for that cycle. But of course, now for a few more details.

Why Did Ford Only Sell Black Cars

Did You Know

Henry Ford once said something of this nature: "A customer may have a car in any color he desires, so long as it's black." Today, many people have taken this quote to mean that every Model T Ford, the car which undoubtedly made the American automobile affordable and "put America on Wheels," was painted black.

1932 Ford Model 18 V-8

Did You Know

Henry Ford had been experimenting with unusual multi-cylinder engines even before the Model A. He rejected an inline six as being a copycat, seeking something distinctly different to perpetuate the image of Ford as the automobile innovator. A more powerful V-8 for a low-priced car offered that innovation.

Georgia O’Keeffe and her Model ‘A’ Ford

Did You Know

O'Keeffe's Model ‘A’ Ford became an integral part of her artistic process, serving as both transportation and a mobile studio. It provided her with the means to venture into the desert and capture the es- sence of the Southwest, which became a significant influence on her art. The car's simplicity and reli-ability allowed her to travel to remote locations, enabling her to create her iconic paintings of the New Mexico landscape.

Mary Brooks Picken’s Contribution to Fashion

Did You Know, Fashions

A relatively unknown yet highly influential woman in the Model A era was Mary Brooks Picken. Mary transformed millions of women from clothing vendors to seamstresses capable of improving their lives and making money with their sewing machines. Mary published 96 books on sewing, needlework and textile arts.