Harness Wrapping

[TomIGo]

I have been working on partially restoring the original harnesses of my 1970 Challenger. I have completed the harness that goes behind the dash after changing out all bad wires, upgraded a few (larger gauge) as needed, re-wrapped with the non-adhesive vinyl, cleaned all connectors and used contact cleaner on all terminals!! I am now beginning work on the harness going from the bulk-head connector to the headlights via the drivers side inner fender. At the start of the harness, about 5 inches from the bulk-head connector, there is a translucent, almost white, 1/2" wide wrapping that goes for about 6 inches and covers the black vinyl wrap. This harness appears original and even still has the 1-inch wide, white, part number "tag" on the harness where this translucent wrap starts, so I think this extra wrap is original. Does anyone know what that kind of wrap is called and where it can be purchased? I have not seen it before on an original harness or restoration harness from Year One, etc.

 

[Xcudame]

I have no idea and am interested in what others say. I have only seen black tape.

 

[gran coupe john]

Black tape is not correct. There is a tape with a cloth feel to it. Not sure what it is called. I believe Summit, or Jegs carries this wiring tape.

 

[Challenger RTA]

There is a polar bear in a snow storm below see if you can find it. A picture would be good.

. .

 

[Challenger RTA]

tape with a cloth feel

Friction tape is what you might be referring to.

 

[Xcudame]

What you want to make sure is whatever you use, make sure it's not the soy based crap on all the new cars! That's what rodents love to eat! My 64 Imperial has been outside at least twelve years before I bought it and no wires are eaten because it wasn't soy based back then. Don't ask me about the wiring in the wife's 2014 300 that got eaten!

 

[Chryco Psycho]

There is Vinyl wrap tape available but it has no glue on it so you wrap it tight & use glue or velcro or tie a knot at the loose end the starting end is wrapped inside , there should be a similar cloth based tape available as well . Maybe Year One or Laysons have it , I have used it in the past but don't recall where I got it

 

[TomIGo]

Black tape is not correct. There is a tape with a cloth feel to it. Not sure what it is called. I believe Summit, or Jegs carries this wiring tape.

Yep, I know abut the cloth tape used originally, but it costs WAY more than the non-adhesive vinyl wrap, and since I am not going for a complete restoration, that was good with me.

Edit to my original posting. The "translucent" wrap is not actually translucent at all. I carefully cleaned off about 2 inches worth of the wrap on both sides. It is a light grey color. The wrap is 3/8" wide and the entire piece is only 52" long. See photo included.

 

[Mascottrepair]

Nice work on that harness, sounds like you’re doing it right! That translucent wrap you're seeing is likely fiber-reinforced PVC tape or sometimes called Vinyl Overwrap. It was used by Mopar on certain looms for abrasion resistance. Not super common in resto kits, but you can usually find it through Restoration Specialties or WireCare. Keep at it—you're bringing that ‘70 back the right way!

 

[TomIGo]

Hello everyone! Submitting this post in hopes that no one has gone down a rabbit hole trying to figure out where the grey wrap over the black vinyl wrap comes from. After removing the remainder of the wrap on the harness and inspecting the wires, it appears that the grey wrap is not original, but an attempt by a previous owner to fix some wiring issues. They grey tape is quite dirty for the most part, and as I was uncovering the entire harness, I found a LOT more of it

Sorry about that!

I DO HAVE A NEW QUESTION however. In the 1970 Dodge Dart / Challenger Service manual on page 8-91, there is a picture in the top right corner of a "bulkhead disconnect" which is quite different from the one I have. In the following pic there is a set of connections numbered 25 through 32 which do NOT appear on my bulkhead disconnect.

What am I missing? Are there more than 1 style of bulkhead disconnect for a 1970 non-Hemi Challenger? This is not a major issue of course because I am only going to worry about connections that exist in my harness. I am curious about the situation however!

 

[PLUM_72]

Later model OEM wire harnesses use Tesa tape. It has that fabric like tape consistency. Probably not OE correct for the early cars. But its easily found on Amazon.

 

[73-Cudah2]

I looked around and found Tesa tape. It feels fuzzy on the top side. Good for heat and will not tear with Great adhesion. Did my Engine Bay with it. Trick to remove old tape is a seam ripper.
https://www.amazon.com/tesa-Fleece-...f1-8c0f-f260b8979eb2&pd_rd_i=B00XPBB6L8&psc=1

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

I looked around and found Tesa tape. It feels fuzzy on the top side. Good for heat and will not tear with Great adhesion. Did my Engine Bay with it. Trick to remove old tape is a seam ripper.
https://www.amazon.com/tesa-Fleece-...f1-8c0f-f260b8979eb2&pd_rd_i=B00XPBB6L8&psc=1

My wife had a seam ripper because she loved to sew. Would be tempted to "borrow" hers but I guarantee she would chase me around with her Fiskars scissors for even THINKING of taking her stuff!

 

[Challenger RTA]

My wife had a seam ripper because she loved to sew. Would be tempted to "borrow" hers but I guarantee she would chase me around with her Fiskars scissors for even THINKING of taking her stuff!

Right!!! I know the deal! When I'm looking for a particular tool and can't find it. and and and and. I know I used a month ago and last week and I put it back, then look where I was using it. It's not there and it doesn't materialize before my eyes. I get suspicious. I know it's not my son. He turns his pocket out to show me. We went through that. Now that he's all grown up form toys to tools. No guns we lost them on a fishing trip. There is only other alternative. The wife ! She always says: I just used it for a little bit.

But it's Destroyed.​

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Seam rippers are cheap !

 

[Xcudame]

Seam rippers and pinking shears are a must for every tool box!