engine bay cleanup ideas
#1
engine bay cleanup ideas
Hi all,
I guess during the winter I'll be bored enough to clean up my engine bay. Picture of what it looks like at the moment.
I'll have to get something to seperate the plugwires properly, I'm thinking about getting differnt plug wires anyway. there's a few that tend to fall off the plug after a long drive. i don't know if they squeeze out (rubber pressing) or vibration or heat cycles.
what I'm more concerned is all the wiring that goes along the fuel line and the bunch on the side. How to clean that all up. I'm not going to change any ignition parts so realistically I could cut all the cables to size now. It's been tested and I'm all happy with how it performs. but then what, put one of those plastic wraps around it ?
any ideas welcome
I guess during the winter I'll be bored enough to clean up my engine bay. Picture of what it looks like at the moment.
I'll have to get something to seperate the plugwires properly, I'm thinking about getting differnt plug wires anyway. there's a few that tend to fall off the plug after a long drive. i don't know if they squeeze out (rubber pressing) or vibration or heat cycles.
what I'm more concerned is all the wiring that goes along the fuel line and the bunch on the side. How to clean that all up. I'm not going to change any ignition parts so realistically I could cut all the cables to size now. It's been tested and I'm all happy with how it performs. but then what, put one of those plastic wraps around it ?
any ideas welcome
#2
You definitely need to tend to that wiring ....
If I were you, I'd cut to lenght and reconnect and make sure everything works out before starting any of the cleaning. After you ensure everything still works, unbolt all of it and lay it over on the engine while you clean/paint the area behind. Then bolt it all back up and you're ready to go.
If I were you, I'd cut to lenght and reconnect and make sure everything works out before starting any of the cleaning. After you ensure everything still works, unbolt all of it and lay it over on the engine while you clean/paint the area behind. Then bolt it all back up and you're ready to go.
#4
This page will help. The OEM wire wrap is excellent - just like, well OEM. Put the wires in the split loom and wrap it. It'll look factory.
http://rjminjectiontech.com/?p=15
http://rjminjectiontech.com/?p=15
#5
I ran all of mine under the fenders to take them out of the picture completely. My main harness comes up the drivers side and across the front. The starter selonoid is mounted under the passengers side. Not much work and well worth the effort.
#6
Jim and I ran the wires around behind the engine and down on the frame rails, out of sight, reasonably short runs, and what you see of them looks good.
I am a big fan of crosslink wire and little or no wrapping, I despise the plastic loom crap for anything visible. I found a roll of Varflex cloth wire tubing on eBay, I kind of dig it and I am ok with putting a bundle of wires in shrink tube also.
I am a big fan of crosslink wire and little or no wrapping, I despise the plastic loom crap for anything visible. I found a roll of Varflex cloth wire tubing on eBay, I kind of dig it and I am ok with putting a bundle of wires in shrink tube also.
#7
I like this wrap http://www.tiewraps.com/flexo_pet.html we setup a wall with 8 50" flat screens and ran all the wiring through these. Looks awesome.
#9
I like this wrap http://www.tiewraps.com/flexo_pet.html we setup a wall with 8 50" flat screens and ran all the wiring through these. Looks awesome.
That looks similar to the wrapping on the wiring that runs through the door jambs. Would it too, with age, fall apart like the original stuff? It's gotta be stronger somehow...
It is cool how you could get it to match your color.
Last edited by hightower2011; 12-01-2010 at 10:16 PM.
#10
well that's a great bunch of ideas.
what I'll definetly do is:
- route the plug wires in front and a around valve covers (like James/JMD)
- i will have a look at whay i could possibly hide under the fenders. But I like the boxes being seen in engine bay (fuel pressure reg, MSD, etc etc etc). i just hate the wiring
- i will cut to size and for hiding some of them thanks for sending the links
- i think it was a mistake to use the original fuel line (when i converted from machanical to electrical pump). I should have routed it straight up at firewall, mount the regulator to the firewall and feed the engine from the back.
I absolutely can't stand that stuff:
i like the wiring tape. All the old cars have it. it's more of a cloth than sticky electrical tape.
But I must say that I'm quite smitten with the Flexo-pet
frdnut: the ballast resistor is not used as one. I am using it as 'common connector'. I have all the 12V+ wiring (MSD, fuel pump ....) hooked up there as a common point. The other side of resistor is not connected to anything. Just used it as a replacement for a nice common joint. I have to find several of those.
I once saw a plastic piece in a picture, maybe 4-5 inches wide and it just had 8 ports on it where you could hook wires to. you know hook all the 12V stuff on connector 1, all the switched 12V on 2, all ground on 8 ... etc etc etc. Can't find that anywhere.
On top of all that I'm goijng to get a wiring harness at some stage for headlights, so I'm going to add another 2 relays. I think I should consider a relay/fusebox at some stage :-(
thanks a lot for all the ideas, keep it coming!
Oh and btw: my vintage V50 wheels are finally on their way from UK. will have them before christmas *g*
what I'll definetly do is:
- route the plug wires in front and a around valve covers (like James/JMD)
- i will have a look at whay i could possibly hide under the fenders. But I like the boxes being seen in engine bay (fuel pressure reg, MSD, etc etc etc). i just hate the wiring
- i will cut to size and for hiding some of them thanks for sending the links
- i think it was a mistake to use the original fuel line (when i converted from machanical to electrical pump). I should have routed it straight up at firewall, mount the regulator to the firewall and feed the engine from the back.
I absolutely can't stand that stuff:
i like the wiring tape. All the old cars have it. it's more of a cloth than sticky electrical tape.
But I must say that I'm quite smitten with the Flexo-pet
frdnut: the ballast resistor is not used as one. I am using it as 'common connector'. I have all the 12V+ wiring (MSD, fuel pump ....) hooked up there as a common point. The other side of resistor is not connected to anything. Just used it as a replacement for a nice common joint. I have to find several of those.
I once saw a plastic piece in a picture, maybe 4-5 inches wide and it just had 8 ports on it where you could hook wires to. you know hook all the 12V stuff on connector 1, all the switched 12V on 2, all ground on 8 ... etc etc etc. Can't find that anywhere.
On top of all that I'm goijng to get a wiring harness at some stage for headlights, so I'm going to add another 2 relays. I think I should consider a relay/fusebox at some stage :-(
thanks a lot for all the ideas, keep it coming!
Oh and btw: my vintage V50 wheels are finally on their way from UK. will have them before christmas *g*
Last edited by kalli; 12-02-2010 at 11:58 AM.