Re-wrapping engine wiring harness?

[lkadams]

I spent some quality time last night peeling off about a roll of old, greasy sticky, electrical tape from the wriring looms in the engine bay of my 69. For the portions of the harness that connect from the firewall plugs to the taillight plugs, one cannot just slide new sheathing over the wires to keep them enclosed. So I see a few options
1) re-wrap with some sort of tape again
2) use that weird sprial wrap stuff
3) cut the harness (which I am loathe to do), slide on sheathing or heat shrink tubing, and splice all the wires

Any other thoughts/recommendations/advice/experience? My goal is not concours prep, but rather just to protect the wires and keep things tidy.

[csbush]

I use option 1- re-wrap with black electrical tape. Simple, correct, and cheap. Protects the wiring just fine.

[Zithlord]

I did my entire 1971 911S wire harness with option #1, turned out very identical to the original.

John

[Porsche-RSR]

I've also chosen option #1 for my engine wiring harness. Works quite well.

[Silverbullit]

I'd opt for #1, but with a twist (pun intended). Use automotive wire wrap that won't get glue-gooey under heat. There is a wire wrap just for this. It stays put, but doesn't 'melt'.

[lkadams]

Based on that advice, searching around I see there is stuff called "self fusing silicone tape" that has no adhesive and a high temperature ratng. Sounds like the ticket.

[Perry Kiehl]

I've made some 914-6 harnessess, and I have some different sizes of black PVC jacketing, and mil-spec heat shrink. Here's a reproduction engine harness that I made for a correct 914-6 restoration. The wiring is heavier than stock, most of it too is 14 gauge mil-spec wire, it has the correct color coding, but the stripes are spiral along the length of the wire.

If you want some jacketing and heat shrink, let me know. I could re-jacket a harness, but it requires removing and replacing some of the connectors.

[merbesfield]

Here is what you want. You definitely do not want to use electrical tape except at the ends to finish off the Non-Adhesive Vinyl Wrap. A friend of mine is an electrical guru and build harnesses. He personally recommends this ebay seller and this product. I have bought the material but have not actually used it yet. Seems pretty straight forward, just time consuming to do a good job. Be sure to post up pics.

2 Rolls of Vinyl Wiring Harness Tape

[Perry Kiehl]

If the wires are supple and the insulation isn't cracking, you can unsolder the multi pin connector and pull the wires through new jacketing. There's a few circuits on some models that are more involved, but it's still do-able. If you inspect the individual wires closely, it's likely you'll find wires that need to be replaced.

[andyjboy]

I've used the 'self-amalgamating' (non-adhesive) tape for making up/re-wrapping harnesses for the past 15 years - when you get to the end, apply some heat to the tape & it 'bonds' to itself. No need for any electrical (or other adhesive) tape.