Sources for '60 Ignition harness grommet?

[David Greenburg]

I'm replacing my ignition switch wiring harness, and the rubber grommet that goes on the harness where it passes through the firewall is intact but tired. This is the one held in by a two-piece retainer. I was surprised to find that none of the usual suspects carry a replacement/repro. Anyone know a source? Seems like at the very least it would interchange with something.

[59-in-pieces]

David,

Sorry for the delay - I have fires on my mind.

Here are some pics which might help in identifying what you are looking for - although they are for a 59, not a 60.

Primitive Pete that I am, I too could not find a replacement, but made my own.
I used a stock block piece of thick rubber, and used a circular hole saw bit on my drill-press to match the diameter of the original grommet that I had.

Then, depending on the number harnesses needed to penetrate the fire wall, I drilled appropriately sized holes with my drill press.
Slicing a slit outward from each hole with a utility knife, will accommodate placement of the grommet around each harness.

Depending on the diameter of the hole in the firewall, you may need to add a thin rubber washer to replicate the flange of the original grommet design, as shown in the close-up.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[David Greenburg]

Steve-

Yes, that's it. For the time being at least, I have reassembled mine using the old one, with a little body caulk around the firewall opening to make up for any lack of resilience. I'm just surprised its not a more common part.

[Clewisiii]

Talk to Jason Edge who sells on Facebook under Classic Cadillac Parts. Parting 63/64. They are the same to my knowledge.

[David Greenburg]

Will try that, although I'm guessing most used ones will be similar to mine; a bit dried out and frayed around the edges.

[Clewisiii]

I think some of the fraying is just because this was not a clean mold.

I had soaked mine in rubber renue years ago and it became more flexible. It is a little hard again so I am letting it soak for another round.

[Cadman-iac]

 David,

 I have made my own for the 56 using flat rubber sheet and layering it, gluing the pieces together with super glue. Super glue works great on rubber, just be sure the pieces are in alignment before applying it.
 I made a new grommet for the firewall and the one where the A/C lines go through the core support. They're available new but the prices are ridiculous.
 I know that the firewall grommets have multiple holes for various things to pass through, and not all are used, thus they have a thin layer covering the rest of the hole, which makes putting something through it easy if necessary.
 Making one by layering you have the ability to make the holes through all but the top layer, and you can cut an X in it to facilitate locating it later, and it will also help to seal around whatever goes through it. Drilling the holes in rubber is impossible unless you have a special bit for that purpose, a regular drill bit does not work well.
 It's a bit labor intensive but to me it was worth the effort.
 
 I've saved all the grommets from the cars I've parted out over the years and have used a good many of them, so when I needed one for a specific purpose and didn't have any used ones that would work, I thought I'd try making one.
 I cut the outside shape using a utility knife if it wasn't round, and used hole punches to cut the various holes needed in the middle.
 I tried using a bench grinder to shape with, the stone wheel as well as the wire wheel, but it takes a steady hand to do it that way.
 My best results were from using the utility knife.

 Hope this helps, and good luck with your project.

 Rick

[David Greenburg]

Rick:

Thanks for that detailed answer. I will try and fabricate something for a permanent fix. I might try using some masticated rubber sheet that I got to make an exhaust insulator. I was able to drill it pretty easily, using regular drill bits for the bolt holes and a hole saw bit for the exhaust pipe opening.

[Cadman-iac]

Rick:

Thanks for that detailed answer. I will try and fabricate something for a permanent fix. I might try using some masticated rubber sheet that I got to make an exhaust insulator. I was able to drill it pretty easily, using regular drill bits for the bolt holes and a hole saw bit for the exhaust pipe opening.

 If you want to use just pure plain rubber, Ace Hardware sells it in 12 inch squares 1/8" thick, which is what I used for making my grommets.

 Rick