"Neatness" What's good for wire harness sleeves? I hate that plastic ribbed junk Is this Black Self Wrapping Braided Split Wire Loom Cable Sleeve stuff junk too. Or what is good to use for under hood, engine bay wire loom neatness . Just zip ties or?? https://www.ebay.com/itm/363222480375? ,
I prefer wrapped in the old cloth style electrical black tape or even plastic black tape over the plastic wire looms. At least the cloth and plastic wrapped wires give it the early 60's feel. Only downside is if you have to get back into the wires, but I don't plan on doing things twice that I'd need back into it. As a youngster I always did the cloth or plastic wrap. I liked the look.... ....
On the Model A, at least 3 different sizes of cloth loom are available. They are original style and very unobtrusive.
Ton's Performance has the old school braided asphalt coated cloth sleeves sold by the foot, available in different diameters.
I have used the Alex Tech braided wireloom sleeves from Amazon for audio cable 'snakes' and electronic drum cables. They fit tightly, are much more flexible than the plastic stuff, and are reusable. Good to 250 degrees so should be fine in the engine bay. I will use this when I rewire my truck.
https://brillman.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo_geo7zgJCyyVOKz3mXsj3NMYlziCS9aLh8R5vEw2dQJ4yOw1_ main page...but to to the "Products" ****on and there will appear a drop down menu....see 'Wire Loom & Conduit" https://www.restorationspecialties.com/Wire-Loom_c_326.html
The Alex Tech style has some split type I really like. Looks way better than the split ribbed plastics.
You can get plastic harness wrap tape. It’s no as sticky as black electrical tape. 3M super 66 is the best. IMOP.
I have used the Summit Racing loom and had good results. The kit has multiple sizes, zip ties, tape and everything you need. Sum890357
There is co**** braid and a fine braid available. The woven braided loom is much more flexible. Wrap the wires 1st in gum free wire harness wrap. Its stretchy and wider than electrical tape. The fine weave braided loom is better. Scotch 33+ tape ends (Ace Hardware) of wire wrap. Cut braid with hot knife. Apply the braid to the wrapped bundle with Dorman wire loom feeder tools to decrease swearing. (my suggestions). I use my mag base dial indicator stand and a spring clamp to hold the wire bundle to hold the strand taught while tape wrapping.
I have fabricated quite a few wiring harnesses, I always use a product similar to this: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-890349 it is black and has a fabric texture so it is protective and looks correct. When I split a loom or terminate the end of of a loom I use this type of tape: https://www.****ssportinggoods.com/...GOOFxDUJ6R5eWaVVoVaOyY04yvTJcLKxYSFVscPVei4V0 it is inexpensive and works extremely well, it also matches the fabric loom material. I never use insulated terminals, I purchase quality un insulated terminals in bulk and use adhesive lined shrink wrap after the terminal is crimped using a ratchet style crimp tool with a die designed for un insulated terminals. I never solder automotive wiring.
View attachment 6630340 Hello, The early 60s is a wide time line period. From the time wires were around, the most used wire in 1958-64 was the Packard black 440 wire. It came in a long roll from any local auto parts store or in custom measured pieces for most v8 motors. The ever popular Rajah end clips were also popular as to how they connect with the myriad of the named choice of spark plugs. Most used Champion. View attachment 6630341 348 Chevy motor in our 58 Impala. For us, we did use the Packard Wires with Rajah Clips on all of our cars and drag race build of a 671 supercharged SBC motor. But, as we needed to get under the valve covers, the wires were run under the headers. View attachment 6630342 292 c.i. blower spec SBC motor with a new Isky Gilmer Blower Drive Kit and Edlebrock manifold. For our start up spark plugs, we used Champion plugs. Then the first run was also the same plugs and when we came back ready for the eliminations, we switched over to the Lodge pink Plugs for better spark. That was the set up idea from Reath Automotive and most of his sponsored racers did the same. The wires were always Packard 440 with Rajah End Clips. Jnaki As for those wire covers, the self adjusting build of the material is good. I have used them in in the same size as well as larger sizes to cover my office computer wires into a neat loom to run off of the desk and down to the wall plugs/outlets or router. They keep the loose wires from speakers, monitor, CPU and other wires neat and clean in the desk area. So, all that shows is the monitor and keyboard. But, there is no heat and eventually, they lose the circular grip built into the design. Also, if a smooth bend is there, it looks ok. But if the wires need to go at a sharper angle like the spark plug wires, the curved opening will bulge and leave an opening. The flexibility of the wire covers is a good thing when the area is flat and hidden behind a desk leg or file cabinet. But, exposed on a motor from the distributor is not going to be as smooth as normal wires to the plugs. There will be cracks in the overlap areas and openings that will make it look bad. Plus, there is no need to have covers on wires from the distributor. Why? No, it was not a popular thing to do in 1960 to 65. (early 60s) We all used the wires from the factory exposed or changed them over to the Packard 440 wires. No covers and no mention of wire loom weave covers, either. If the covers slide over the wires, then bends and openings won’t be a part of the installation. But, in your case, they cover over the top with an opening built in. Those covers are what they advertise… covers. Not good for anything, other than covering desktop computer wires… “Dust Catchers,” in motor compartments, as they have openings woven in place… YRMV
If you have miceys in your shop I might recommend this. Very not cheap but it was the result of a recall against Honda for using soy-based wiring harnesses in their "cars". I don't know if the mice is on the tape or if that is just the shipping wrapper.
I use that plastic ribbed stuff on everything, but then I don't open the hood very often, nothing fancy to see under there. Since I don't open the hood much, the wiring appearance is not a high priority for me, I just need to keep the wires together and out of trouble. I'm pretty good at doing the automotive electrical stuff, but I need wire covering with a split loom. I have done both electrical tape, and friction tape, but usually after I get it all nice and pretty, I need to add another wire for something. The ribbed plastic split stuff is cheap and works.
Used the plastic stuff the last time I wired a car - had tons of it, so "use whatcha got", right? This time around, using the split sleeve stuff from Amazon. and shrink tubing on the terminal ends. Keeps things tidy.
I've used a lot of their stuff over the years... https://sacramento-vintage-ford.odoo.com/shop/category/wiring-shop-91
Hockey stick tape is an option. Not as sticky to the touch as friction tape. Use it to wrap the cracked steering wheel in my '39 p/u.
I use the Alex Tech sometimes also, what I do when possible is put a short piece of shrink tube on the ends when possible. I think it gives it a better looking finish on the ends, just be careful with the heat.
I used the exact stuff in your link in the original post. Comes in a few different sizes & to me looks "period possible". I gave up taping my wires, looks good but takes to long especially upside down under the dash ect... The loom has its own pains but in the end I liked the results. Hardest part for me was feeding the wires into the loom. Imagine they are already routed & terminated, I just need to wrap them and clean things up a bit. Just for asthetics mainly. I used a combo of my hands, the dorman tool wasnt helpful for me. And a rounded edged flathead to kind of open the loom and chase it up the wires. Couple wraps of your tape of choice at the ends to keep things tidy. I like that I can open the loom to inspect a wire rather than messing with a bunch of tape wrap rounds.
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