If anyone is interested in reproduction wire clips, please email me at mrtromm@yahoo.com, do not pmail me through the board since I will not be frequenting the board and may not see your request. After many years of looking for NOS versions of this rare and mostly unknown clip that was only used in 1968 on all V8 engines I decided to reproduce the clip. I have 2 NOS clips that I used to reverse engineer it. The reproduction clips are 3D printed using translucent ABS-like resin. Each 1968 V8 Buick used 3 clips that slid over the posts on the passenger side valve cover. The wire harness was then held in place by passing it through the clips. All 1968 Buick V8 engines used them, Skylarks, GS's, Rivs, Electras, etc...You must have the original valve cover studs to use these, they will fit over the same studs used for the spark plug retainer clips (see photo below) I doubt that any of the show judges even know about these clips so you will have a leg up on them by having them on your car. After many test prints and tweaking of the part to get it right I am now ready to sell sets of clips. The price for 4 clips (one extra in case you break it) will be $20, including shipping. Email me at mrtromm@yahoo.com if you are interested Each clip it test fit over a post to verify fit, this causes slight scratches inside that area that cannot be seen once installed. Original clip with package Parts book showing application Clip installed on post (NOS clip on left) Example of original clips on a low milage 1968 350 engine. Reproduction clip installed on my 68 GS400 (I know, the valve covers should not be chrome, but I like them). Remanent of a clip on a high milage engine. Four reproduction clips on bottom, NOS on top.
I always wondered how this harness should be secured. Nice work. When I got my car the harness was a hot mess from being half melted to the intake by the carb.
Wow, very impressive Mike. Thanks for your effort to make this obscure part. I need some for my ‘68 so I’ll take a set. I never knew about it these clips until I bought a ‘68 and noticed that one was broken (and the others look very fragile). btw regarding your comment about the chrome valve covers not being correct on your ‘68, since chrome valve covers were available as a Buick accessory item in ‘67 and ‘68, I would say they are correct.
If anyone is interested in reproduction wire clips, please email me at mrtromm@yahoo.com, do not pmail me through the board since I will not be frequenting the board and may not see your request.
Hi, I received mine in the mail from Mike. What kind of wire harness wrapper are you supposed to have for this? It looks like the clips are pretty small diameter so don’t think my wrap is the right one.
That is a good question, my wires are wrapped with electrical tape which I don't think is correct but the wires do fit. The original car photos I posted looks like there is a sleeve of some sort. I have not found anything in the Buick manuals that would answer this question. Looks almost like shrink tubing before you shrink it. I may try that. One tip is to put the wires in the clip before installing the clips on the studs. They are very fragile and probably why Buick stopped using them after one model year.
Nice work, Mike! Very impressive. I'm just seeing this thread and wondering if your 3D skills would work on the ever elusive 2 wire loom found on the rear valve cover nuts. I'm assuming because these are "hinged", it may be more difficult to produce something that would survive clipping and unclipping? I have an OEM one here I could send if you wanna give it a shot.
I found wire cover that looks similar to what I have seen in photos of original cars. 5/8 PVC sleeve that will need to be split to go over the wires. I used about 1.5 ft. Amazon.com: PVC Black Tube, Sleeve For Wire (5 Feet), Harness Wiring Loom Cover Wire Protection & More Tubing Loom Flexible Sheathing OEM Type (5/8 INCH) : Automotive What I have found out when installing this and then inserting it in the wire clips is that the clips break very easily so you need to make sure the wire/cover diameter is the smallest you can make it, install the clip around the wires first and then put the clip on the post. I broke one of my NOS clips and a reproduction clip during my install by trying to force it. UGG. What a horrible design Buick. It may not have helped that it was 30 degrees in my garage when I tried it. The things we do to make it look original
Wow Mike - great job. I just stumbled on this tread. Kinda embarrassed not seeing it sooner. Great minds think alike when it comes to getting things done. Good to see you are successful with a resin print with those clips.
Thanks, the issue is with the original clip design being so fragile. Very poor design. I tried to make the repro clips more flexible but yet hold up with the heat (and be translucent). There are limits to what is available with resin material so its tough to get all three (flexible yet retain shape, heat resistant, translucent). The repo clips are still very fragile like the originals, and I can see why Buick canned that design after 1 year. This clip is almost never seen on original or restored 68's so I thought I would take a shot and making it.
