Wiring issues

pkhanc · 09-19-2009, 12:32 PM

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum but have a question that hopefully someone can give me an answer. I have a 1974 Dodge Challenger that has a 1970 383 engine in it. The engine was installed before I purchased the car 10 years ago and I did not do the install. Although I have had no problems I want to install a new engine wiring harness as many of the wires are starting to crack. My question is as the 383 was not an option in 1974, will there be issues in just buying a engine wiring harness from Painless or Yearone for the 1974 Challenger? Will everything just plug in, (i.e. firewall connector, etc.)? I note that there were two options for the the 1974 model year, (pre-October 1973 and post-October 1973). Or, can I just purchase a engine wiring harness for the 1970 or 1971 model year with a 383 and everything is plug and play for the 1974 model year? I am experienced with wiring but don't want to re-invent the wheel here. I am sure which ever one I purchase they won't take back once I have actually tried to install. Thanks in advance!

johnthegoalie · 09-19-2009, 03:04 PM

check out the ron francis wiring kits. you call them and go over all your potions and what not and they build the harness fro you specifically...

theomahamoparguy · 09-19-2009, 05:28 PM

I cant remember for sure but didn't 74 challenger's have an option for a big block? [maybe a 400].
If worse comes to worse you could always order the wiring for a 74 charger with a 400 big block. I believe the engine compartments were very similar. [as the "E" bodies were actually based off of the "B" bodies]

Probably a 71 challenger with a 383 would be another option. I cant think of too many things that were added to the harness [from 71 to 74]except for maybe some things to do with emissions. The firewall harness plug was the same.

scotts74birds · 09-19-2009, 06:37 PM

X2, any harness for a 74 E body big block should work. But the wiring guys will tell you for sure. If you have a/c let them know. I think there is an extra wire that fires a dashpot to raise the idle when the a/c is engaged.

pkhanc · 09-19-2009, 08:43 PM

Thanks guys! I'll call Painless or Ron Francis to see what they suggest. No A/C so that is not a problem. I'm sure they will include a schematic so it won't be that difficult to figure out.

scotts74birds · 09-19-2009, 08:56 PM

http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1974/74ChallengerA.JPG http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1974/74ChallengerB.JPG Hope these factory diagrams help you. good to have around. Welcome.

09-19-2009, 12:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
pkhanc Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 2	Wiring issues Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum but have a question that hopefully someone can give me an answer. I have a 1974 Dodge Challenger that has a 1970 383 engine in it. The engine was installed before I purchased the car 10 years ago and I did not do the install. Although I have had no problems I want to install a new engine wiring harness as many of the wires are starting to crack. My question is as the 383 was not an option in 1974, will there be issues in just buying a engine wiring harness from Painless or Yearone for the 1974 Challenger? Will everything just plug in, (i.e. firewall connector, etc.)? I note that there were two options for the the 1974 model year, (pre-October 1973 and post-October 1973). Or, can I just purchase a engine wiring harness for the 1970 or 1971 model year with a 383 and everything is plug and play for the 1974 model year? I am experienced with wiring but don't want to re-invent the wheel here. I am sure which ever one I purchase they won't take back once I have actually tried to install. Thanks in advance!

09-19-2009, 03:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnthegoalie thinkin with me dipstick! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: sw desert Posts: 861	check out the ron francis wiring kits. you call them and go over all your potions and what not and they build the harness fro you specifically... __________________ 70 dart: punched out and cammed 225, a-833 w/ overdrive 4-spd 8.25 rear w/ 3:55's *soon to be "green-go"

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09-19-2009, 05:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
theomahamoparguy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Springfield NE Posts: 763	I cant remember for sure but didn't 74 challenger's have an option for a big block? [maybe a 400]. If worse comes to worse you could always order the wiring for a 74 charger with a 400 big block. I believe the engine compartments were very similar. [as the "E" bodies were actually based off of the "B" bodies] Probably a 71 challenger with a 383 would be another option. I cant think of too many things that were added to the harness [from 71 to 74]except for maybe some things to do with emissions. The firewall harness plug was the same.

09-19-2009, 06:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
scotts74birds Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan thumb, home of the Michigan Militia Posts: 1,315	X2, any harness for a 74 E body big block should work. But the wiring guys will tell you for sure. If you have a/c let them know. I think there is an extra wire that fires a dashpot to raise the idle when the a/c is engaged.

09-19-2009, 08:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
pkhanc Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 2	Thanks guys! I'll call Painless or Ron Francis to see what they suggest. No A/C so that is not a problem. I'm sure they will include a schematic so it won't be that difficult to figure out.

09-19-2009, 08:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
scotts74birds Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan thumb, home of the Michigan Militia Posts: 1,315	http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1974/74ChallengerA.JPG http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1974/74ChallengerB.JPG Hope these factory diagrams help you. good to have around. Welcome.