Not sure who's idea it was to use tiny plastic zip ties on the UVCH wires, but I was checking the gps with the covers off, and broke a couple of them and have no idea where they went. Where would they go? I hope there is some sort of screen to catch them in the head before they do damage. Am I the only one to break these zip ties? I found the passenger side harness loose, so its fully plugged now...

 

Try and get them out of wherever they're laying. I wouldn't leave them in there. You'll want to put some more back on before you lose some glow plug operation. Kwik found this on his https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...or-wiring.html

 

replying to an old thread here- did you ever find the zip ties? I had a couple break as well. I recovered 2 of them but Im worried there may be 1 or 2 left in the head

 

If you want to get forensic on it post some pics and maybe we can see something missing.

But I think a solid blast of shop air across the top of the exposed head will blow off any problems.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-0-52-mod.html

I recommend zip ties years after this post, but not ‘tiny zip ties’.

I’ve often found the zip ties and parts of UVCH in the oil pan or on the bottom of the oil pickup screen. Probably can’t hurt anything. There are holes in the top of head that go (mostly) directly to the oil pan.

 

I'll go ahead and reply to this as well saying that not all zip ties are made equally. Meaning that the material that they are made of can go brittle after a while. Recommend that you get a statement from whoever you buy them from that they will not deteriorate in the environment that they are in.

 

I was thinking about this. Kmart brand or HF junk zip ties are never recommend for anything.

Also, black zip ties tend to perform better than white or rainbow colors. Particularly with regard to UV resistance.

 

Yes, to what you said. And I've also seen plenty of black zip ties go brittle right out of the bag. To the point of considering using metal wire as the retainer instead of plastic zip ties. But that brings in a whole new world of making sure that the metal wire doesn't chafe through the insulation on the wiring that it is retaining.
I'm still working on what the best method is for wire retention in adverse environments is, and I don't think I'll ever get that figured out.

 

Have you seen the stainless zip ties? Looks almost identical to a regular zip tie but stainless.

 

Yeah, be careful with those guys. They're not exactly a bag of razor blades, but I treat them as such. To quote FTN, "They'll cut ya quicker than a feral cat on meth."

 

Exactly. I have a bag of them in the shop. They require a special tensioning tool to get them to clamp down sufficiently tight which I do not possess and wish I did.
Where my concern for using them under the valve cover stems from is their abilty to saw away at anything softer than itself and ground out any electrical circuit.

 

Griplockties, I havent used these under valve covers, but they seem like they would work.

 

I only use Ty Wrap cable ties by Thomas and Betts (bought by ABB). These are industry standard for many industrial facilities like chemical plants and refineries. They aren't cheap, but quality never is.

https://new.abb.com/low-voltage/prod...ssories/ty-rap