Ok, I just got done with a total cleaning of my engine compartment. Installed my plenum cover. Everything looks nice EXCEPT the tape that Ford did a not so nice and neat job putting around the wiring looms. It's peeling off in spots and looks awful. If I want to redo it what kind of tape should I use? Or is there an alternative to make it look better? If I redo the tape should it be done only in strips like it's done now or should you wrap the whole loom in it? Sorry for so many questions but this engine thing is new to me and I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

 

I redid all of ours that looked like a five year old did the work. Just use a $1.99 Electrical Tape and wrap around the wires. Remove the factory tape where possible. I did the hold downs too. And added to areas that were not rapped.

I spent about ten hours on this.

 

Wow, 10 hours. I bet it made a huge difference though. Ok just electrical tape? I thought that's what was on there, but the fact that it was peeling off I figured maybe there was something better that maybe the heat didn't effect.

 

Just make sure to get some high quality American made tape. 3-M is good stuff, and will help make it look good.

 

Couldnt you use some wiring loom?

http://www.cardomain.com/shoplist~b~Street...ing+Loom+Tubing

 

I guess I could but I don't really want to change the color of the looms.....kinda think they should stay black. I just want to neaten up the messy tape job Ford did.

 

How about this stuff.

It works great, it's easier to use than tape- not as messy and looks better. I know you're doing car shows, so I think the extra spen on it would be justified. I've used this stuff on 50,000$ audio installs, underhood wiring, and computer PSU wiring, and it has been cool everytime. You can even do UV Reactive if you are so inclined :nono:

 

Any pics?

 

Looks interesting, do you have any pictures of this done on underhood wiring???

 

jerseygirl:

you can get loom in all sorts of sizes and black is the most common color...i just gave you link to some wild colors...here our a couple links to black and different sizes...its real easy to put on (just cut to size,open edge and slide on)...i have no idea why ford doesnt use from factory...

http://www.cardomain.com/shoplist~b~CarDom...ing+Loom+Tubing

http://www.cardomain.com/item/SOUIECSL1

 

Oddly enough, in all the pics of installs and such that I have, no. I never thought anyone would want a picture of something that I use as a cleanup. Think of it as tape that isn't sticky. The stuff just wraps around, and allows you to break out anywhere. It's just- clean.

 

I have seen that used on some wiring harnesses and it did not seem to wrap very well.

 

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Do not use electric tape. That is not electric tape as you know it on the wiring. If there is ever a problem with any of the wiring you or your TECH will have a super hard time removing it after it been cooked in the engine heat. One big sticky mess for sure.

 

Tech shouldn't be working on a hot engine. And do you think that factory crap that was letting go, was not a little messy to remove at times? A good part of it I had to carefully cut off. Hence the time involed. I bought made in the USA in stead of Mexico $.99. My Mechanic Buddy has no problem with it. Its rated for 190 degrees. So you know its more than that. If you want to pay three times the cost you can get 220. The engine bay is not going to go much above 200 in most areas, only thing is the ends may loosen just like all factory tapes ends do or may not after all. Tape is not near the headers.

Just for the sake of testing hot temps I will check a dozen or so areas in a few days, once the rainy season passes and I can take the car out. I will post the results.

 

Wow, looks great! Such an improvement over Ford's tape job!

 

Thanks for the information and I'll watch for the hot temp test.

 

OK Been there. Done that and ended up with one sticky screwed up &^%$# mess. Just trying to let you learn from my bad moves. This was back before they started importing junk tape from you know where.
Last time I looked the wiring harnesses were made in Mexico but they may be made in that junk place too. My Ford speakers had made in China on them.

 

Over time electrical tape, ya even the USA made stuff, will make a mess. Been there, done that as well and will never do that again. Need to find an alternative but I don't like loom or spiral wrap. That stuff is fine for pc's but not for engine bays (unless it is a honda :P )