Tips on making engine harness
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 52
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From: Lubbock
Tips on making engine harness I am about to make my first engine harness and was wondering if y'all had any tips and tricks to make it safe so the car won't burn down.
What kind of connectors should I use? Heat shrink, loom, tape, etc.
Thanks
What kind of connectors should I use? Heat shrink, loom, tape, etc.
Thanks
Solder and heat shrink. Use quality tape (the Harbor Freight stuff tends to fall off after a few weeks of heat). Summit/Jeggs carry loom kits. The convoluted stuff works, but the braided looks much nicer when used correctly. Take it one wire at a time and you'll be fine. Fuse all your power leads.
Just done use butt connectors.
Just done use butt connectors.
Find a schematic and take your time. As they say, Rome wasn't built in a day.
I prefer soldering each connection and heat shrink tubing (to extend or shorten wires) over crimp connectors. The debate on solder vs. crimping is endless. However soldering takes a special skill and a bit of planning and patience to be reliable. It also has it's place, along with crimps which I also use under certain circumstances.
Figure out where you are going to mount the PCM and work from there to shorten or extend the harness as necessary.
Whatever you do, don't de-pin the entire harness at once! I've seen this done several times and it seems like the most labor intensive, error-prone method available to build the harness.
Just a few of my ideas from personal experience. Others may have different or additional methods which are successful for them.
I prefer soldering each connection and heat shrink tubing (to extend or shorten wires) over crimp connectors. The debate on solder vs. crimping is endless. However soldering takes a special skill and a bit of planning and patience to be reliable. It also has it's place, along with crimps which I also use under certain circumstances.
Figure out where you are going to mount the PCM and work from there to shorten or extend the harness as necessary.
Whatever you do, don't de-pin the entire harness at once! I've seen this done several times and it seems like the most labor intensive, error-prone method available to build the harness.
Just a few of my ideas from personal experience. Others may have different or additional methods which are successful for them.
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Land of the Mormon's although I'm not one of them
Agreed with all above.
I also suggest using adhesive lined heatshrink; this seals the solder joints from moisture better than non-lined heatshrink.
I use MIL-W-22759/32-35 and 41-46 or Raychem "Spec 55" Primary Wire; but it's a little pricy; TXL wire is another that can/should be used; I suggest a few different colors.
Crimps can be ok, but most people don't have the "right" crimps or crimp tools, and they can be $$. Personally I suggest just soldering them (Use electrical solder and flux, not plumbing!!!).
As for tape, I don't use any when I make harnesses. I use Mil-T-43435B Lacing Cord underneath the looming.
Looming - The side-split Convoluted subing is pretty standard. I prefer the braided loom, either split with velcro (if I have to); or just straight. This needs to be cut with a hot knife though to prevent it from unraveling; and I use a piece of adhesive line heatshrink on the ends/joints to keep it in place and tight.
I also suggest using adhesive lined heatshrink; this seals the solder joints from moisture better than non-lined heatshrink.
I use MIL-W-22759/32-35 and 41-46 or Raychem "Spec 55" Primary Wire; but it's a little pricy; TXL wire is another that can/should be used; I suggest a few different colors.
Crimps can be ok, but most people don't have the "right" crimps or crimp tools, and they can be $$. Personally I suggest just soldering them (Use electrical solder and flux, not plumbing!!!).
As for tape, I don't use any when I make harnesses. I use Mil-T-43435B Lacing Cord underneath the looming.
Looming - The side-split Convoluted subing is pretty standard. I prefer the braided loom, either split with velcro (if I have to); or just straight. This needs to be cut with a hot knife though to prevent it from unraveling; and I use a piece of adhesive line heatshrink on the ends/joints to keep it in place and tight.
Alll good advise above...
also.. as your assembling the harness, suggest you lay it out on the targeted engine. That way you make sure all will be routed correclty and correct length,
You can buy Metri-pack or Weather-Pack connectors from many of the noted sites and vendors. For Sleeving and Heat Shrink tubing.. check out McMaster-Carr, their are many type heat shrink tubing (PCV, Poly, heat, chemical, etc).
for Wires, Fuse blocks, connectors and 280/150 termnials/connectors (to name a few)..:
http://www.metripack.com/
http://www.mouser.com/?cm_mmc=google...FQSg4AodvTkAYg
http://www.casperselectronics.com/store2/
http://www.currentperformance.com/Co...onnectors.html
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/default.aspx
http://www.repairconnector.com/
But there are many others sites.. Alway use the correct type for both sleeving, Tubing, connectors and Tools. all will come out working better and looking better.
Good Luck
BC
also.. as your assembling the harness, suggest you lay it out on the targeted engine. That way you make sure all will be routed correclty and correct length,
You can buy Metri-pack or Weather-Pack connectors from many of the noted sites and vendors. For Sleeving and Heat Shrink tubing.. check out McMaster-Carr, their are many type heat shrink tubing (PCV, Poly, heat, chemical, etc).
for Wires, Fuse blocks, connectors and 280/150 termnials/connectors (to name a few)..:
http://www.metripack.com/
http://www.mouser.com/?cm_mmc=google...FQSg4AodvTkAYg
http://www.casperselectronics.com/store2/
http://www.currentperformance.com/Co...onnectors.html
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/default.aspx
http://www.repairconnector.com/
But there are many others sites.. Alway use the correct type for both sleeving, Tubing, connectors and Tools. all will come out working better and looking better.
Good Luck
BC
