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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Wire hiding

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Old Aug 9, 2017 | 02:29 PM
  #1  
1979brandon's Avatar
1979brandon
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Wire hiding

I've spent a good amount of time turning my junkyard engine into something that shines. Now I'm getting ready to drop her in. but there's one thing that keeps me up at night. That awful looking wiring harness. Vacuum lines too. They are fixin to destroy how good my engine bay could possibly be. (smog stuff out here in ca is a nightmare) That said, I want to reroute most of the wiring and vacuum lines to square thing up a bit.

My questions:
By lengthening the vacuum lines will it affect their ability to work right.
Can I lengthen the wiring with the same gauge/type and not affect the sensors.

I'm not taking about making any big moves or anything, just taking some wire/vacuum lines back to the firewall to clean things up a bit, and trying to hide things where I can

This is my first rebuild. I can handle soldering and the marine shrink wrap without too much of a problem. I am aware that I need specific wires with the proper heat protection, and I plan on using woven tubing that I've been seeing out there to protect everything (unless y'all have other thoughts)

thanks
Brandon
90' 460
 
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Old Aug 9, 2017 | 02:42 PM
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I agree about the hoses, wire harness etc. I used chrome loom but there are plenty of colors available. They also come off easily in case you need to get to the harness. I got them here but if you Google "CHROME LOOM" there are several suppliers to choose from. At least they are an alternative for you. People at car shows like them. There are more on the engine but the pic doesn't show them. But whatever suits you. Sandy How about a picture of your ride.

CABLETIESANDMORE.COM

 
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Old Aug 9, 2017 | 04:29 PM
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1979brandon
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I had it bored 30 over but that's about it. I'm new at this so I didn't want to start making any big changes. I'll get a little more daring on my next rebuild.

The engine bay is dirty but in good shape. I'm going to clean it out and paint it and I'd like to clean up the wiring madness that is currently under there. I was wondering if adding length to the wires will negatively effect the functionality.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2017 | 04:53 PM
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Lengthening wires won't be a problem if done properly. Get uninsulated crimp connections, then solder the joints after crimping, cover in heat shrink. Unless you know how to solder bare wires together, then do that. I just find it easier to crimp them first, then hold the joint down with the iron on a piece of wood while I solder it. You might try staggering the joints in one bundle so that it isn't really bulky all in one spot.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2017 | 05:04 PM
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Nice. I wouldn't have thought to stagger them. Thanks
 
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Old Aug 9, 2017 | 08:39 PM
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Neither did I until after I installed a new radio, and had a thick bunch of wires to stuff in the dash.
 
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