Where did you get the 'tape', how thick is it, and are there any markings on the roll that identifies the manufacturer? I'm doing the harness for my '66.....the tape I bought is only 0.003' (3 mil) thick. But the original wrap is closer to 10 mil thick. It's 1" wide. I need some help on this guys!
I went to my local Electrical Parts Distributor and bought some 1" plastic black tape to match up. It seems to be a very close match. They had 2 different weights. I got the heavier stuff. :TU:
I just finished doing mine and it is not as thick as the original. I am assuming you are talking about the vinyl tape w/o adhesive? I got mine from Year 1. I had the same concerns you're having. Some of this stuff will be on the intake and subject to some high heat. I wonder if it will melt as thin as it is. It was easier than I thought it was going to be. Rick
High temp detail tape from Casper's Electronics: https://www.casperselectronics.com/...n=PROD&Product_Code=103010&Category_Code=conn The detail tape is specifically for mid 80s GM cars. I used this tape on the 1970 GS 455 wiring harness after replacing the resistance wire for the distributor and replacing the 10 gage wire from the upgraded alternator with an 8 gage wire. Since the harness had already been rewrapped what I pulled off was gummy as normal electrical tape gets in the heat. Here is the main page for Caspers. John Spina has been great to the Buick community by offering an array of very useful products for us. http://www.casperselectronics.com/
I've not done the whole harness, but when I put in an internally regulated alternator and ran a non-resistor wire for the coil, I simply used regular electrical tape (and over-taped it, as I tend to do). This isn't supposed to look stock, though, it is just functional.
Thanks guys! I am looking for non-adhesive pcv tape, just like the original. I've found a few manufacturers that make the non-adhesive tape, but not in the thickness I need: Scapa Automotive EGI/Elliott Group International Plymouth Rubber Company If you look on the inside of the roll, there may be a manufacture ID... I'll drop John at Casper a line.... I'd appreciate any more info!
Geeze Rick...you guys are supposed to find it for ME! :grin: The sources I listed do have the cloth tape used for the trunk wiring harness.
LOL :laugh: :laugh: Come on now, you know how much shelf space that tape can take up?? Think of the overhead! :error: :rant: :laugh:
Pushy aren't we p That's a trick I learned from my wife. Ask her a question about whats for lunch and somehow I wind up a the grocery store with a full list for the week o No: One thing I did notice was redoing mine was there often was a length of tape running parallel to the wires and then over-wrapped in the regular "spiral" way. I'm guessing to give it more insulation. I will redo mine because I am adding an aftermarket A/C system and I want to run those wires in the main loom. It seems the trick is how to end a wrap. There is no adhesive to "stick" the end. The original had a simple knot at the end(s). It didn't look all that good. To begin the main loom wrap (which should probably be wrapped last), I started at the firewall end about an inch or two down the wire and wrapped toward the firewall end where I wanted the wrap to start then reversed back down to cover the actual starting point. That held the start down fine. Mine "Y"s out for various components at the other end (I'm sure they all do). When I redo mine I will start another "start" as described above for each leg of the split and work back to the "Y". That way those ends will be nice and clean without a knot. I plan on making the one final knot at one of the "Y"s as I am coming from the firewall wrapping the main loom. The legs should already be wrapped coming from the other end. You'll want to wrap the legs first unless you have more than one roll of tape. Otherwise you'll have to cut the tape on your main loom and make an extra knot. For the final knot I laid a piece of looped string in a U shape down and put 1 or 2 wraps over it leaving and inch or two of string sticking out at both ends. Not real tight. The bottom of the U should face the direction you are wrapping in. Then cut the tape leaving a couple of inches and then thread it through the loop. Then give the the open end of the U a firm tug to tuck the tape end back under itself. Then trim any excess tape that got pulled through. I'd be interested in hearing anyone elses technique for this.
ttt has anyone bought the tape from Year One? How thick is it, and are there markings on the roll that may indicate who the manufacturer is?
I bought mine from an auto parts store when I was still in NJ. I did my whole engine harness with it. Here is a link to another site. Scroll down to find the tape you are looking for. I honest to goodness can't say that anybody other than yourself will ever notice what gauge you've used. Am I'm a picky guy. :error: http://www.lectriclimited.com/repair_components.htm
Thanks Ken, Lectric Limited is where I bought my tape. Aslo bought the cloth tape they offer to do my trunk wiring harness. I was a bit miffed with the $8 shipping they charged me for two rolls of tape :rant: Maybe I'll just double-wrap the harness with the thin tape to get a little more protection....
