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chevynut
07-17-2017, 02:11 PM
What's the best wire harness covering to use? It might depend on whether it's visible or not, but I'm working on a wire harness for the rear of the car that I want to cover. It will go over the top of my fuel tank so it won't be all that visible, and I'm using Weatherpak connectors at each end. I bought some of the corrugated plastic stuff I was going to use, and I really don't see anything wrong with it but wondered if there was anything better. Maybe something metallic burnt orange? :) :)

Bluegrass Trifive
07-17-2017, 06:20 PM
In my opinion sleeving looks the best. Most common suppliers have it and it's available in lots of colors and patterns. Summit used to sell several types but I haven't looked in awhile.

chevynut
07-17-2017, 09:13 PM
BG, are you talking about the braided sleeves? Split sleeves? I see Del City has tons of different wire looms/coverings. Some aren't split, but I don't see how you get wires out of them when you need to make a branch. I've never used stuff like this for wiring.

Bluegrass Trifive
07-17-2017, 09:33 PM
Yes I'm referring to the braided,non-split sleeve material. That's what is used by most of the custom harness makers that I see. You of course have to terminate at least one end after installing the sleeve but I think it's the best looking of all of them.

55 Rescue Dog
07-18-2017, 03:30 AM
I use rubber air hose a lot for running wires which is cheap/easy and great protection, and added insulation for wires. For front wires to fan/lights/horn I used 1/2 inch air hose fed through the frame. 3/8 hose to the rear, and for small lines or wires around the engine I'll use vacuum hose, or rubber fuel hose. I put my rear mounted battery cable inside an air hose too. If you wanted to spend more you could use hydraulic, or aeroquip hoses though, and even make a T-joint or a bulkhead fitting as needed for wires. When I was an industrial electrician at an engine factory, I substituted hydraulic hose for electrical flex hose, that constantly broke on some machine tools, because that was the only thing that held up 24/7.

markm
07-18-2017, 06:56 AM
Not my thing, I think it looks cheap but they sell it, 1-866-673-9590.
eBay item number:

131571481083

Fladiver64
07-18-2017, 07:32 AM
How is this? https://www.wirecare.com/category/braided-sleeving/general-purpose/flexo-f6/f6n0.50or-f6-self-wrapping-braided-sleeving-1-2-orange-10-ft-cuts

I use the split braided sleeving and the add a piece of heat shrink on the ends if possible. if not the just cut to length and melt the end to keep the braid from unraveling.

chevynut
07-18-2017, 10:01 AM
Wow that orange loom seems expensive for something that's not seen and the color may clash with my burnt orange :). Maybe it makes sense in the engine compartment where you can see it. Here's what Del City has and it looks a lot cheaper for most of their looms.

https://www.delcity.net/store/Braided-Sleeving/p_807326

I may just use the regular corrugated split loom for the rear harness that goes under the sill plates and out by the differential to the tank and rear lights.

Fladiver64
07-18-2017, 11:17 AM
I was not looking at price just saw the orange, I have used all black in my 34 and I like the braided much better than the corrugated plastic

55 Rescue Dog
07-18-2017, 11:41 AM
The braided sleeving might be great, but I would use that in interior, or protected areas. Not much meat to them for one, and by the time you buy all the different sizes, and lengths, it will cost a lot! That's what I like about the rubber hose. I can just go anywhere and have them whack off whatever size and length I need. Plus it is much stronger. You could bang on it with a hammer for awhile, bend it, drag it, etc., with no damage to the wires.

55 Rescue Dog
07-18-2017, 11:55 AM
Hard to see in this pic, but just inside firewall I have 2 electrical seal-tight electrical fittings with 1/2 inch hose connected to them exiting through the top of the 1/4in aluminum trans tunnel top, going to the rear and front of the car. Only thing stronger would have been to use conduit. :)
75417542

55 Rescue Dog
07-18-2017, 04:28 PM
Hard to see in this pic, but just inside firewall I have 2 electrical seal-tight electrical fittings with 1/2 inch hose connected to them exiting through the top of the 1/4in aluminum trans tunnel top, going to the rear and front of the car. Only thing stronger would have been to use conduit. :)
75417542
I never really looked myself, but most of the car runs off of only 16 or so wires from the fuse/control panel. It's about as simple as it can get with the Ron Francis Bare Bonz panel I used.

Bitchin'57
07-18-2017, 06:52 PM
I used the Summit Racing brand black braided split sleeving on my last project car, and will use it again on my '57. The black plastic corrugated stuff has a dated look to it, and has largely fallen out of favor by car builders, particularly the high end builders.

chevynut
07-18-2017, 07:55 PM
Doesn't the braided sleeving allow moisture and dirt to go through it easily? Seems like it would be something I should use in the engine compartment where it's visible, but I'm not sure about where it's barely seen or not seen at all.

Bitchin'57
07-19-2017, 06:37 AM
Doesn't the braided sleeving allow moisture and dirt to go through it easily? Seems like it would be something I should use in the engine compartment where it's visible, but I'm not sure about where it's barely seen or not seen at all.
I don't know about the "easily" part, the braiding is pretty tight. Why is the possibility of dirt and moisture intrusion an issue? It's not like you're running bare wire in there. The OEM's use braided sleeving, so it can't be a problem. If you're that concerned about it, completely wrap the wires in electrical tape or one long heat shrink, then slip the braiding over it.

WagonCrazy
07-27-2017, 09:11 PM
I just ordered some split loom off of Amazon. Several different diameters.
7609

BamaNomad
07-28-2017, 08:17 AM
I like the looks of the braided split loom as posted by wagoncrazy... but I'm curious. Is there a table or 'rule of thumb' for how many typical automotive wires can be installed in the various sizes?? ie. 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" etc??

chevynut
07-28-2017, 11:29 AM
So how do you deal with an engine harness that has a lot of wires exiting it and it gets smaller toward the front of the engine? How do the wires exit the loom? Also, is there a way to make a tee that looks decent? That's what I like about the convoluted loom, you can easily make a tee in it.

7611

55 Rescue Dog
07-28-2017, 11:47 AM
I like the looks of the braided split loom as posted by wagoncrazy... but I'm curious. Is there a table or 'rule of thumb' for how many typical automotive wires can be installed in the various sizes?? ie. 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" etc??
Not really, especially with assorted diameters of wires. You could just see how many wire ends would fit through a 1/2 inch washer etc. Or just tape a few together and measure the diameter.