While I'm savin' up scratch for the new rad and fans, I thought I'd trace bubba's wiring under the dash. I can't evendescribethe mess I found. []
My question is...
It looks like I can access the wiring and replace all the wiring harnesses with the main guage cluster removed. Am I right, or do I need to remove the entire dash? Thought I'd ask before I tear into it.

 

I think you'll have to remove both the speedo/tach cluster and the center gauge cluster to get access to everything.

 

Dave, you should be able to get to the majority of the terminations in the harness with both of the gage panels out, also remove the glove box and you'll have a little more wiring in that area. The center console contains wiring for the power windows, auto trans shift indicator light and neutral switch, parking brake switch. Unless Bubba used bolt cutters on the main harness or the rodents have done their handywork you should have enough access to make repairs. Pulling the dash panel is a real nightmare and hard to do without damage to the crunchy vinyl, I had mine completely gutted to make repairs to the dash itself but don't take it out if your not ready to put $500 into a new panel. See ya.

 

Another question....
Will the new harnesses plug into the fuse block, or is it an intrigal part of a harness?
Oh ya, Bubba used 12ga. stranded, from an extention cord, to run two wires from the bats pos terminal. As I understand, the main juice distribution comes from the starter harness, right?

 

I believe the fuse box is included in the new dash harness, atleast it is in my 79.

 

I did a friend's '66 a few years ago and the fuse block was part of the new harness. The only problem we had was the sheer size of the cable made it so stiff that it was hard to route like the original.