Wiring

[stepsideclyde]

How long would one think it would take to install an American Auto Wire system in a '65 El Camino? Working for a friend of a friend and I have 12 hours so far and not much to show for it... I enjoy the work and do not want to overcharge the guy, so what would you guys think the flat rate would be?

 

[Crusty Nut]

Well, it depends on a lot of things.
Are you wiring from scratch or also ripping out old ****?
How many circuits, accesories?
Have you wired cars before?
A typical basic hot rod from scratch with things like all necessary lights and ignition stuff plus simple things like a heater and radio take me around 10-12 hours. Add time for things like A/C, power windows, or other stuff.
Something weird holding you up? Need some help?

 

[stepsideclyde]

Nope, it is a complete kit from American Auto wire, all the old wiring is gone, Never wired a complete car before, new dash with auto meter gauges installed, new crate big block with hei, had to enlarge hole in firewall to install new fuse block,(did not like that). Nothing weird yet, just being to cautious perhaps.

 

[Carguy99]

I charge 35 to 45 $ per thing hooked up. Windows a little more About 100. plus parts
head lights 35
tail lights 45
fuse box 45
starter 35
ect.
This only If I am doing it all, start to Finnish. If the customer says Ill handle X Ill just add those things into the estimate anyway. If I dont need to fix their work I just dont charge them for it. If I do then the cost is built in.... no arguments...I just fix it.
This assumes they have all the parts and they NEVER DO. Additionally, I assume that I will not be waiting for work to be done.

 

[Kevin54]

If you're doing this for a friend, and you have never did it from A-Z before, then you can't charge a normal or high rate as one would usually do. For one, this is a learning experience for you also. I would think that if you normally charge, say $40/hour, I'd cut that in half. That way you won't be questioned about possibly milking the job out, and the owner will be pleased even though it may take you two to three times as long as a seasoned wiring person. That's just my $0.02 on it though and that won't even buy you gum today.

 

[willymakeit]

This is my biggest phobia working on cars. I have a 56 F100 that needs wiring, bought a Ron Francis kit,but cant seem to get started on it.

 

[crewchief888]

This is my biggest phobia working on cars. I have a 56 F100 that needs wiring, bought a Ron Francis kit,but cant seem to get started on it.

one curcuit, one wire at a time.

it's hard to eat an elephant all in one bite.........

 

[sr71]

Wiring can be a bear - especially your first time for a harness - kinda depends how well you want to do it. I'd say 40-50 solid hours for an average job. What makes an average job better:
- neatness (not a birds nest) behind dash - all wires covered in nylon split loom
- weather resistant connectors (Molex or Delphi for example)
- security: add a master disconnect
- compartment lighting (under dash, hood, trunk)
- headlights: add relays & larger gage wiring to get more from existing lights.
- starter: add a push button to start
- fan : add a fan override switch
- heated front seats: easy to do now and fairly inexpensive

etc. ect. Good Luck

 

[stepsideclyde]

I think one reason it is taking so long, (for me) is that I am trying to route the wires in my head, so that I will get a neat job and not have to back track or regret that I have cut a wire to short, or routed a wire that could have been bundled with others. As for the money, this is just a side job, the guy asked me for help, and I agreed to give it a shot. I was thinking maybe just charging $200.00 flat, regardless of the time it takes, I think he is going to have 40 or 50 grand in it by the time he is done.

tc

 

[RECox286]

The first time you try anything it will take a lot longer than you expect. Then,

when you have some experience, things will start to go faster as you can anticipate

some of the problems, and remedies needed to do the job.

Charge accordingly. I would not scalp anybody due to my inexperience. Your friend

should get a workmanlike job, and you should get a good bit of experience. Figure all

that together, then both of you should go sit on the porch with a cold one feeling good

about the whole thing.

Uncle Bob

 

[Carguy99]

I think one reason it is taking so long, (for me) is that I am trying to route the wires in my head, so that I will get a neat job and not have to back track or regret that I have cut a wire to short, or routed a wire that could have been bundled with others. As for the money, this is just a side job, the guy asked me for help, and I agreed to give it a shot. I was thinking maybe just charging $200.00 flat, regardless of the time it takes, I think he is going to have 40 or 50 grand in it by the time he is done.

tc

here is a tip:
route ALL the wires to where they need to go. last step is to terminate them to the component. If you find you need to change locations of a component you have the wire to do so.
I will just start by get the wires headed in the right direction. this wire goes under the hood and this one goes to the rear. after that I will look at component location and try to get it a little closer to its final location. fuel pump relay right side of dash.whatever

 

[stinkity stoink]

I have done a few harnesses like that. Last one was a 46 packard convertible. It took about 30 hours to wire it nice and neat. I had to pull the whole interior out of the car including the dash. Power windows and top. TPI motor had to be wired along with A/C and cooling fans. It you want to do a nice job it takes time I believe. I charged $1,000 and ther was extras that took up more time.

I would say $200 is pretty cheap.

I don't think any shop would even touch it for less than $500.

 

[crewchief888]

As for the money, this is just a side job, the guy asked me for help, and I agreed to give it a shot.

tc

if he's a friend i wouldnt charge,

friend of a friend, and in no hurry, couple hundred

wants it done now, or in a certain time frame, then the price goes up..

and up....


only "work" i do is for friends, no money for labor, they provide the parts/ material, or reimburse me for what i spent.

stock the fridge, or buy lunch

 

[willymakeit]

one curcuit, one wire at a time.

it's hard to eat an elephant all in one bite.........

Yeah but it doesnt get better with small bites either. Still a elephant. Thanks tho. I will eventually do it and wonder what I was waiting on.

 

[crewchief888]

Yeah but it doesnt get better with small bites either. Still a elephant. Thanks tho. I will eventually do it and wonder what I was waiting on.

yea i know what ya mean, i've done some big wiring jobs on a couple of custom vans i had back in the day, one ended up with 20 or so aux curcuits, and 1200 ft of wiring

and the latest project my s-10 blazer
electric fans, big relays, aux fuse and switch panel, new fuel pump wiring and relay, aux lighting, remote mount coil, autometer guages, the list goes on and on.

sometimes i got just one or 2 wires run and terminated before i'd quit for the night. found out if i was tired, cold, or distracted, i started making mistakes.

 

[mcnakamura]

It depends upon the situation if you have plenty of wire, all labeled every foot or so and connection to fix 'early style' wiring and if you do this in right.

 

[stepsideclyde]

Another issue, Hei distributor has 2 loose wires, one looks like a ground (black with a rather large eyelet), and one is a female insulated spade. Have the batt and tach wire attached @ the cap, but what are the others for?

 

[Carguy99]

they come out of the distributor? or the harness?
if they come out of the harness they are probably used for a different dist.
if they come out of the dist. a pic would help

 

[stepsideclyde]

They come out of the distributor, along with the other wires...I will not see the car again until saturday will try to get a pic then.