1952 Riviera wiring colors and routing

[Riviera Wish]

I have an 18' Riviera that I am trying to restore to original; R-18-749. Currently the boat is apart with most of the parts, gauges,
switches, etc. in boxes. The boat was delivered by Chris Craft in January 1952 but I assume the 5/15/52 schematic for Runbouts would apply. The wiring diagram shows wire gages but NOT circuit colors. I see some other CC wire diagrams show wire colors, but years prior to 1952 and post 1952 are not consistent with regard to circuit colors.

Does anyone out there know the wire circuit colors that apply to R-18-749? Have a color coded wiring diagram?
Also, which circuits were run on starboard side / port side?
Was wire harness individual wires or in looms? How wrapped?
Any reason to believe wiring in January 1952 was different than May 1952 CC wire diagram for Runabouts?
Last question: What is recommended source for the vinyl coated- cloth covered wire?

Your help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Steve

[dreed]

The wires are in a black loom and run on the inside of the starboard stringer (along with the tach. cable and oil pressure tubing). The Horn wiring runs along the port upper side to the horn, and then through the two back seat supports back to the battery. Mine is a "53", and it was re-wired about 8 years ago, so I cant confirm any colors for you as being original. Mine are now brown with blue stripe. If this snow ever melts I can take some picture and post for you. I know I sent some pictures to Mike Mayer a few years ago, but that was from a different phone, and those pictures are gone.

[Riviera Wish]

Thanks dreed. that really helps with the routing. Is the loom a black cloth, black plastic, or what material?
Hope to get further input on wire colors from this post.
I grew up in upstate New York near Albany (Waterford) and all reports are that you are having a really cold winter. When the snow melts, and it will, those photos would be much appreciated.
Have since moved south and west to Oceanside, CA (near San Diego). We just had the warmest March on record and we sure could use some of your snow melt here in the desert!

[dreed]

The wires are in a cloth black sheath. I would try Rhode Island wire for the wire and sheath. Just cant confirm the colors. I can ship you all the snow and ice you want.

[mfine]

I can ship you all the snow and ice you want.

Not for too much longer (I hope!). We have some open water appearing on Keuka and Canandaigua can't bee too far behind!

[MikeM]

Send me a PM or an email and I'll help you out. I've got what you need. [email protected]

[Riviera Wish]

Dreed,

Follow-up question regarding the horn wire that runs along port side to seat back. You indicate it runs to the battery. The wire diagram indicates the horn wire is grounded to the engine via 10 gauge wire.. Is your's grounded directly to the battery negative terminal?
Actually, I have read that many, if not all, grounds are wired to the oil pressure gage and grounded via the copper pressure sending tube between the oil pressure gauge and the engine oil pressure sensor.
Anyone out their care to comment?
Thanks,
Steve

[dreed]

It is actually grounded to the engine block just above the battery.

[Riviera Wish]

Thanks, that is what the '52 wire diagram indicates.
Can you tell me the routing of the oil pressure gauge copper tube on the Riviera?

[Riviera Wish]

Sorry about that last question I just noticed the answer in your first response!

[dreed]

I went up to the Lake today and took some pictures of the wiring. After I got home and looked at the pictures, the wires aren't where I said they were in my earlier post. I will try to get up there again soon and take some more pictures.

[cc-woodboats]

the best place I have found for wiring supplies is
Rhode Island wiring service inc. (401)789-1955
they should have everything you need.

[Riviera Wish]

Dreed. Hope you are still available for a follow up question on the Riviera wiring. Can you tell me how the wire loom along the inboard side of the starboard stringer was supported? Were the holes in the ribs for the loom or did it run above the ribs? Did the loom have upholstery material looped around it with copper tacks holding it to the stringer?
FYI the owner of a '54 Riviera has the loom running outboard of the starboard stringer through holes in the ribs and supported by
vinyl material fastened with copper tacks. Don't know if there was a change between '53 and '54 or the install was at the discretion of the installer?
Last time we communicated the snow was just melting; soon the snow will fly again!

[dreed]

It actually runs on the outside of the stringer. It is supported with straps like your friends 54. I just happened to stop at the lake today when I got this notification, so I snapped a picture.

[Riviera Wish]

Dreed,
Thanks for the clarification. Getting closer to actually installing the wiring. Hope to be giving rides next summer!

[dreed]

The Tach. cable and oil pressure tubing are on the inside of the starboard stringer, and are supported like the wiring harness. The choke cable and throttle rod is on the inside of the port stringer also supported by vinyl straps.

[jim g]

The wiring diagram for the 1946 to 1949 17' deluxe have the wiring colors on it. You can get a copy from the Mariners Museum. The 18' Riv. replaced this model. The wiring is pretty much the same except for the horn placement.

[maritimeclassics]

Isn't the horn on a Riviera in the engine compartment?

[Riviera Wish]

Copied the wiring schematic for the 1947 & 12948 Runabout from a Danenberg Boat Forum post; will use it as basis for wire colors.
Location of the horn on the Riviera is still a question in my mind. Riviera wire diagram seems to imply it is located under the forward deck. Have seen photos of the horn in this location on some boats. One original wire loom for a '52 Riviera did NOT contain the horn relay wire which one would think would be included in the wire loom if the horn was located in the engine compartment. Several people have indicated the horn is in the engine compartment. Anyone know for sure the original location of the Riviera horn?
Also, there appears to be another 'routing' contradiction. Owner of a '54 Riviera indicates the choke cable runs on the "outboard" side of the port stringer. So far there is one vote for "inboard" and one vote for "outboard" regarding the choke cable. Anyone care to break the tie?

[jim g]

Horn is under right rear deck. I have a wiring diagram for the 18' riv. that shows it. I think Chris Craft did it as an after thought. If I remember correctly the horn button wore is run down the outside of the stringer with insulated staples. I have a 18' in the shop I rewired several years ago. I'll look at it and make sure.

From what I remember the choke cable runs down the inside of the right stringer and if it has a KL or KLC engine. They drilled a angled hole through the stringer to bring the cable to the outside of the stringer. A K or KBL engine the cable stayed on the inside of the stringer.

[dreed]

The horn location on mine is in the engine compartment on the port side. Mike M. has a picture of it, maybe he can post it. I must have deleted it from my phone.

[maritimeclassics]

It is for sure under the aft deck on the starboard side by the vent. The reason is there is no way for the sound to get out of the forward deck due to the lack of vents like most Chris Crafts have. On most of the boats I have seen the horn wire that goes from the steering column in not with the other wires in the loom, it is by it self stapled just under the loom on the outside of the starboard stringer. The choke cable would go on the inside of the port stringer and most likely stapled.

[jim g]

Steve,

Here is a copy of the Riv. wiring diagram. The museum might have a later one now. This was all they had when I was restoring one about 15 years ago. I already had the diagram for the 17' Deluxe so I wrote the colors on the Riv. diagram. At the time I got this one they had not yet catalog the shop memo's. You might want to check with them and see if they have and get a copy of it. I can tell you if the memo has the lengths on it add to them.

When I did the 17' deluxe I used the measurements on the diagram and ended up short on a couple of wires.

Pictures are from hull number 561. I replaced the original wiring.

The numbers written next to the colors is the gauge size. The loom you want is called Non-Metallic Autoloom Black.

[Riviera Wish]

Thank you all for your input!
The location and supporting method of almost all the wiring, tubes and cables has pretty much been resolved.
Location of the horn is still 'up in the air'. Engine compartment port, or starboard (as indicated on the 1950 18' Riviera wiring diagram), or under the forward deck as suggested by the 1952 CC Runabout wiring diagram. Seems like wiring would be easier on starboard side, easier yet under the forward deck.
Thank you all again for your help,
Steve