[Bentwheelbob]

Thanks. The harnesses are new from M&H. Everything on them has fit great with the exception of the two wire plug that connects to the windsheild washer pump. These wires should come out right near the firewall at the same location as the connection for the brake indicator light, but on the M&H harness they had it exiting about 20 inches further downstream toward the front of the car. Approximately over the front wheel centerline. MPD and I fixed it without a lot of issues, but it would have been nice if it was correct from the box.

I called M&H today and tried to explain the error, but they kept insisting that was the way it is shown on the original GM print. I tried to explain that if they would think logically they could understand that it would make no sense to have these wires located over the front wheel. I don't think I made a lot of headway, but I did get an email address that I will send pictures to of the original harness and where the wires connect. I have also offerred to send them the original harness and stressed that it would be good for them to get it right so customers don't have to redo what should have been right the first time. We'll see.

That problem, however, doesn't take away from the fact that their product is very nice.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

Thanks. The harnesses are new from M&H. Everything on them has fit great with the exception of the two wire plug that connects to the windsheild washer pump. These wires should come out right near the firewall at the same location as the connection for the brake indicator light, but on the M&H harness they had it exiting about 20 inches further downstream toward the front of the car. Approximately over the front wheel centerline. MPD and I fixed it without a lot of issues, but it would have been nice if it was correct from the box.

I called M&H today and tried to explain the error, but they kept insisting that was the way it is shown on the original GM print. I tried to explain that if they would think logically they could understand that it would make no sense to have these wires located over the front wheel. I don't think I made a lot of headway, but I did get an email address that I will send pictures to of the original harness and where the wires connect. I have also offerred to send them the original harness and stressed that it would be good for them to get it right so customers don't have to redo what should have been right the first time. We'll see.

That problem, however, doesn't take away from the fact that their product is very nice.

I appreciate your efforts on this Bob...you'd think by now someone would have pointed this out to M&H...as what, Pontiac "only" mfg 90,000+ Trans Ams in 1978 & another 117,000+ in 1979?

[Bentwheelbob]

A few random things...

First, I got the original charcoal canister cleaned up and reinstalled. At first I was worried that I would need to try to find a replacement. Then I thought, well maybe I can just re-spray it with some SEM paint. However, the original ended up cleaning up great and has now been reinstalled. Below are some before and after pictures. Note that the top right hose has a blue stripe. I am sure that it is original and will be replaced with a new blue stripe hose. If anyone needs a replacement charcoal canister, there is one for sale on Ebay for $25 that looks really good.

I also received the new front sway bar collars and bushings from Inline Tube today. Wow - they are dead nuts on. You always worry that you'll have an experience like the OER fail thread in the Lobby, but these things look great and were priced right at $27.00 for both collars and bushings. The new collars are on the left side of the below picture.

[dreamn69]

Bob,

One thing I have heard to be cautious of is the failure of the Charcoal canisters over time. they can release the charcoal particles into the vacuum line going to the carb. If you expect any problems with it, here is a nicely detailed thread for restoring the functionality while maintaining the stock appearance.

http://transamcountry.com/community/...2503#msg572503

[Bentwheelbob]

We're just about out of parts. The wheel assemblies are back together with the dust shields, hubs and brake calipers now installed. It's been pretty nice so far that almost all original pieces have been able to be restored and reused. The only exceptions so far have been the brake booster/MC, the balljoints and bushings, and the wiring harnesses. All that is really left before the motor assembly becomes the main focus is the master cylinder and new brake lines. Other than that their are just a few odds and ends. I am beginning to see a dim light at the end of a pretty long tunnel...

Here's a few pictures.

[Alvin]

Ok Bob - you're making us mere mortals look bad with your "reality show" type "it's easy" to obtain parts and the results you have. Many countless hours, equipment, wing-man, etc. not fully shown to the real effort and knowledge it takes to get to where you have.

To avoid any confusion: That - above - is all meant as a compliment by the way.

If you get a chance could you please post an image or more of the incorrect area of the wiring harness that you guys had to splice please?

Reason: I'll have to pull out my same brand engine harness I bought @ STARS or TA NATS and look for that specific area before replacing my '78 or '79...and plan on ordering another one in near future - 2 cars, one harness for now...

I'd appreciate that.

Also, final tiny Favor: Could you please ship me your complete garage facilities, equipment and help? . JK

[Judge273]

That's creating a new class? A cleaned up survivor?

It needs a catchy name...

Really, having a set of clean parts to start with original to car is a big plus.

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by Alvin

If you get a chance could you please post an image or more of the incorrect area of the wiring harness that you guys had to splice please?

Reason: I'll have to pull out my same brand engine harness I bought @ STARS or TA NATS and look for that specific area before replacing my '78 or '79...and plan on ordering another one in near future - 2 cars, one harness for now...

I'd appreciate that.

Also, final tiny Favor: Could you please ship me your complete garage facilities, equipment and help? . JK

Alvin - Thanks for your comments. I'm a lucky guy, but I am also OCD and not afraid to work for what I want. I have always believed that there is nothing that anyone else can do that I cannot also do. I have had many passions in my life that I have attacked with this same vigor and attitude, however, none up to this point have been as enjoyable. I would be remiss if I didn't also mention how lucky I am to have a friend like MPD to hold my hand and help me along, and a child bride that is understanding 75% ( 3 of every 4 weeks) of the time.

Below are a few pictures that show the original forward lamp harness, the location where M&H had the wiper assembly wires coming out (I am pointing to it with my finger), and lastly the installed M&H harness with the corrected wire location. I sent a bunch of pictures and a couple of explanatory emails to M&H so I guess we will see if they give a sh_t. So far I haven't heard from them.

I've also attached a few pictures from UK/Arkansas game we attended this afternoon. UK took them to school...

[Bentwheelbob]

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

The harnesses are new from M&H. Everything on them has fit great with the exception of the two wire plug that connects to the windsheild washer pump. These wires should come out right near the firewall at the same location as the connection for the brake indicator light, but on the M&H harness they had it exiting about 20 inches further downstream toward the front of the car. Approximately over the front wheel centerline. MPD and I fixed it without a lot of issues, but it would have been nice if it was correct from the box.

I called M&H today and tried to explain the error, but they kept insisting that was the way it is shown on the original GM print. I tried to explain that if they would think logically they could understand that it would make no sense to have these wires located over the front wheel. I don't think I made a lot of headway, but I did get an email address that I will send pictures to of the original harness and where the wires connect. I have also offerred to send them the original harness and stressed that it would be good for them to get it right so customers don't have to redo what should have been right the first time. We'll see.

So, I heard back from the email I sent M&H on the problem with the forward lamp harness wire location for the windshield washer pump. They are at least 50% wrong and I think 100% wrong. According to them, 1978 Firebirds without the pulse wiper feature had the windshield washer pump in the washer fluid reservoir. I am dubious about that being correct and would appreciate any feedback on that statement.

They also said that their connector was designed to fit that washer reservoir pump and would not fit on the firewall mounted pump because the connector was different. In reality, the connector is exactly like the one on the original harness. Below is the email from M&H and pictures of the old and new connectors.

"Bob,

I was able to find more information about the washer wiring. Based on the research I was able to find, the 78 Firebird had two different options for the washer. One way was for all the cars that didn't include the pulse wiper (wiper delay)system. This system included the washer bottle with the washer pump attached to the bottom of it. With your wiper motor and combined washer, it appears that you had at one time the pulse wiper system. That system had its own stand alone harness that connected the switch to the wiper motor and washer. I wasn't able to find any documentation as to what happens to the wires that are included in the forward lamp harness when the pulse wiper system is used. This is why the wires did not reach the wiper washer on your application and also why the connector doesn't fit nicely on the washer motor when tied to the wiper motor. The washer motor mounted to the wiper bottle has as locking nub to secure the connector which has a locking tab sticking out. If you noticed the connector did not go on smoothly to the washer motor mounted to the wiper motor. The stand alone harness does not have the locking tab on the connector going to the wash motor. It is flat across so that it pushed on flush. Please call me at 562-926-9552 x 205 for more clarification if needed.

Best regards,

Darrin Grove
Customer Service
[email protected]"


Old Connector





New M&H Connector - Being Removed to relocate wire to proper location

[dreamn69]

Bob,
I have no pictures but the black 78 I used to have did indeed have the pump in the washer fluid reservoir. It was a non-impulse car. Check out this thread:

http://www.78ta.com/HTAF/index.php?topic=36057.0

[Alvin]

Hey Bob - sorry for the delay, busy, but I was all set to assist on the wire situation on '78's and took a peek @ ours and it is pulse w motor mounted in bottom of fluid reservoir...

Funny thing is, I never count on using washer fluid on these non-daily drivers for various reasons associated with little or no use over large quantities of time. Systems dry out, etc.

Ours is basic 3-speed wiper switch and was surprised to find pulse option...and you'll enjoy that our original wiring harness is not connected to the washer fluid pump!

I remember back in the day, the pump washers were notorious for leaking, reservoirs cracked and leaked, etc.

BTT

[Bentwheelbob]

Alvin - Thanks. I thought you might be boycotting me, har har....

I appreciate the information. Can you loook at your harness for me and see if the power wires connecting to the pump are taped in with the rest of the wires in the harness as it traverses the top of the inner fender? My theory is that they made one harness with the wires for the pump threaded in the convoluted tubing up to the point of the reservoir mounted pump, but not taped in beyond the point of the brake indicator switch wire. If the pump was in the reservoir - great. If not, because the wires were simply in the tubing, but not taped in with the rest of the wires, the guy on the assembly line simply stripped them out of the tubing back to the brake indicator wire. It was interesting that when we pulled these wires in the M&H harness back to the brake indicator wire, the length of those wires in the M&H harness was exactly as long as they were in the original factory harness.

Also, did you say you had pulse wipers and the reservoir mounted pump? That makes the location logic more random.

Thanks again.