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Classic/Antique Car Repair/upgrade headlights on a 1978 MGB
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QUESTION: I am upgrading my "78" MGB to halogen headlights. I have the new heavy duty wiring harness and need to know where the easiest place to tap into the "hot wire" from the battery is or should I run a new wire from the battery for new harness
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You're going to need two relays, and some heavy-gauge wires to run between relays and your high and low beams. You'll also have to fuse each headlight separately with a 15A fuse to protect the system.
The relays are Bosch #0 332 019 050, and are available worldwide. The numbers given in the diagram for the relay terminals are printed right on the relay. Don't attempt to do this without a relay, heavy wiring, etc, or you will have dim lights and overheated wires with the possibility of overheating and a vehicle fire!
Good luck!
--Paul
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Paul, Thank you for getting back to me so fast. I bought a "Heavy-Duty Headlight Harness" from Victoria British the part no. is 10-679. Is this all that I need? If not let me know what else I need. The instructions said that all I need was to find a place that feeds directly from the battery. That is what I needa close place to hook into.
I really appreciate the help that you have given me in the past. Again, Thank You.
Jim
Oh, yes. I recall buying parts from them in my Tiger days...that harness is all you need. But you should pull power directly from the battery with a 12 gauge wire. Don't trust the factory wiring. Protect the wire with a flex sheath, secure it well, and hide it under seats, carpeting, etc. I run mine along the rocker on the driver's side.
--Paul
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Answers by Expert:
Paul Wilczynski
Expertise
Most questions involving vintage car restoration, mechanical and body, paint and upholstery. Parts sourcing. Extensive experience in wood-bodied station wagons, British and French cars of the '40s through '70s. Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger, Citroen Maserati, VW Beetle, 1955-65 Chevrolet (especially Nomad station wagons), Corvair.
Experience
Wide-ranging and long-term. I owned a restoration shop in the 1970s, continue to dabble in vintage exotics. At one time, had a seven-car collection of contemporary exotics which I had restored and maintained myself.
When I was 18 years old, I designed a woodie kit for the VW Beetle, which I developed into a product which was featured on television and in over 100 magazines and 25 books at last count. I still own and drive one of my creations.
I owned a design and fabrication consultancy from 1982-2002, specializing in show car fabrication for manufacturers including Ford, Mazda, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, etc.
Since 2003, I have been a department manager in Industrial Design, and a full-time instructor in automotive design and fabrication at the university level. My students go on to design automobiles as staff designers for major auto manufacturers worldwide.
Organizations
Western Automotive Journalists, Industrial Design Society of America.
Publications
Long list of magazines and books, including Playboy, VW Trends, VW Greats, Hot VWs, and European automotive magazines.
Education/Credentials
I teach design and fabrication at university level. My education is in Industrial Design, University of Illinois (1966-1970).
Awards and Honors
Many awards for restorations in local concours and shows.
Past/Present Clients
Mazda, Ford, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Mercedes, Porsche.
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