3 month Type 65 Build update & wiring layout ideas…

[Morrisett]

3 month Build update
So clearly not as good as many of you that update their build threads regularly but between family, building, researching and reading everyone else post my own post have been on the back burner. Here’s a quick update over the past few months along with some pictures. Please chime in if you see something done incorrectly or a problem in the near future. Front and rear suspension installed, pedal box, gas tank, steering mock up, fuel and brake lines run, reservoir installed, drop trunk.


Just installed the blower and managed to get the heater valve mounted in the foot box.


Also just mocked up the fuse box and starting to think through wiring placement. I am wanting to keep the ecm and coyote pdm all under the dash. I have some initial ideas (see pictures) but let me know if you foresee issues.

As the pdm is currently laid out it misses the windshield defroster and I am planning on the cover being removable on the engine bay side of the firewall for fuse access.

I realize this layout will likely have some shortening / length a good portion of the harness but I like the idea of keeping the engine bay as minimal as possible. Thoughts?

Sorry about rotated images… still figuring this off my phone

[burchfieldb]

Nice progress! You will want to make sure the rubber hoses to the MCs don't rub on the sharp metal edges of the pedal box bracket.

[edwardb]

Wow. Excellent progress. Put me in the camp of not trying so hard to hide the Coyote PCM and PDB (Power Distribution Box). It's a busy engine compartment no matter what you do. I try to think about "what if" for maintenance and troubleshooting. Especially the PDB. It's full of fuses and relays as you know. Tucking it under the dash like that certainly makes it harder to get to. Pretty big tradeoff IMO. With it on the firewall, behind the engine, it nearly disappears under the body overhang and all the wiring is much more direct. FWIW. The PCM is less likely to need access since it's not user serviceable. But the work needed to get the harness back to it from there is another tradeoff for me. But I get it. Lots of builds relocate it. Keep up the good work.

[Morrisett]

Paul, thanks for the input and I will definitely consider what you mentioned on the serviceability side as I think through the wiring layout. I’ve used a lot of your input & ideas from your coupe build thread. Thank you!

[PNWTim]

You're making great progress. I think the one comment I would add is be sure to pay attention to the orientation of the PCM in regards to how the connections are made. The smaller cable is no big deal but the primary harness is a bit of a python and if you inadvertently orient it incorrectly it can be a real bear to get those big connectors attached. I would also make sure the engine harness will reach when peeled back and think about how you will get that connector through the firewall. My understanding is depinning those are not for the faint of heart.

I went round and round in my head the best way (for me) to do this and I kind of split the difference. I mirrored much of what Paul did with the PDB but when it came to the PCM I wanted it off the fender well. I also wanted less of that wiring bundle altogether so putting the PCM where I did punches both those tickets. Like Paul said above, most of this will disappear once the body is on and that shadowed overhang comes into play.

[Morrisett]

Thanks Tim, definitely some difficulties I did not completely think through. I do like how you mounted the PCM through the firewall. I assume you’re not doing a glove box? Have you’ve begun the process of peaking back the engine harness so it will reach? Difficult?

[PNWTim]

Thanks Tim, definitely some difficulties I did not completely think through. I do like how you mounted the PCM through the firewall. I assume you’re not doing a glove box? Have you’ve begun the process of peaking back the engine harness so it will reach? Difficult?

You are correct, I am not doing a glove box. My dash layout wouldn't really accommodate one unless it was really small so I opted for reinforcing the dash and going with a grab handle in that location.

I have not started the shortening process other than to remove the wrap. I have shoulder surgery this Friday and was saving this portion of work for the next month while I'm in a sling but can still use my fingers. Honestly, when I look at how Ford built the harness I am not too worried about it. They seem to be perfectly fine with all kinds of splices so I think it will be more tedious than difficult. I did decide to cheat a bit and ordered inline splice/butt connectors with shrink wrap so when I am snipping and splicing in earnest I can crimp these on, melt the shrink wrap and continue on.

I haven't figured out a good road map to test continuity as I go so that's a bit worrisome but I guess one challenge at a time.