Thread: Wiring harness tape

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I was wondering what would be a good choice for wiring harness tape on my 53. I may be weird but I really don't want to use standard wire loom as that doesn't seem to blend with a vehicle from the 50's. No one seems to carry anything but standard electrical tape in stores around here, and that seems to fall short. I need to go online and get some so I was wondering if there is any advice on which one to go with.

I agree with you on the look of the taped looms on the 50s (and to me 60s and most 70s era cars). Years ago I had access to the real deal military grade electrical tape (the stuff in the white box with an NSN and mil spec printed on it) that worked really well. There is some of it listed on E Bay, without the package and I suspect most of it is just the standard stuff you get at any part store.

Any more I use whatever is on the shelf at the local part store which seems to do OK most times. Here are a couple of tricks I've learned over the years when looming harness up are. Don't wrap the tape too tightly (stretch the tape as you're wrapping) ....it will cause the harness to want to coil up and/or twist. The other thing is when you taping the loom, put a dot of black silicone on the end of the sticky side of the electrical tape before you press it down.........this will prevent the tape from starting to unravel 6 months down the road.



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I believe most of the original looms on gm cars looked like electrical but thr tape has know adhesive and only sticks to itself, i did a muscle car and had to get it from opg ( Original parts group) as it was correct for the 60s era cars, might have to check for the earlier and make sure they where not cloth covered

Friction tape would be a good choice. It's not sticky, but it sticks to itself and positively vulcanizes to itself over time.

Standard electrical tape can be positively secured with a drop of superglue on the end. Another tip I learned recently is to not pull it apart. Cut it. That way the end isn't stretched. Stretching the end is the main thing that makes it unravel, as it shrinks back to its original length.

Finally, I always give it at least three extra loops on the end. That way if it does unravel, it doesn't work loose down the full length.

Does anyone have any good sources for the cloth like electrical tape anymore?

Its called "Friction Tape" and can be bought on line Amazon Ebay and others probably order it from Electric supply house

Is the friction tape the same stuff they use on hockey sticks and stuff? I was at the hardware store over noon and they had a cloth friction tape but it was tacky on the outside. Wasn't sure if that was the same. Nice stuff otherwise.

Used this tape, it is a harness tape, NOT friction tape
Harness Tape - High Temp/High Abrasion
This production harness tape features high abrasion resistance (cannot be torn by hand), low adhesive (will not ooze out and collect dirt and debris), oil and fuel resistance, flame retardant 150 degree C, flexible and smooth, and a woven fabric finish. This is the same harness tape that is used in production automobiles today and becoming a common replacement to the use of convoluted split tubing for new harness assemblies. Recommended by the manufacturer for engine bay use, but also an excellent solution for high abrasion resistance and high heat application usage. Price per roll.
Part number: 100-00578
I ordered mine from eficonnection.com and the price was $6 a roll back in 2011. They are in Erie PA 814-566-0946

Thanks Robot, I just ordered some!

Yep, thanks, $7.50 a roll now.

back in 2011, I ordered ten rolls, their quantity price was $6, still $6 a roll for 10 rolls. Tape is good stuff...like their description says, you cannot tear it by hand.

In case anyone is curious here is what the tape from eficonnection looks like. It looks very nice. I'll probably save this for my next engine conversion. Hopefully that is my 40 Ford.