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MG TD TF 1500 - Wiring Loom Splicing in a New Wire

I am making up a new wiring loom to incorporate extra fuses and a heavy duty feed from my Ford Transit alternator conversion. Having recently helped a friend to fit a new loom to his TD and experienced great difficulty feeding it through the grommet in the fire wall I propose to run single wires from the dip switch to the front of the car and then form a "Y" with cables going to each headlamp. I think there will be other wires that I can do this with to reduce the bulk of the loom. I then propose to get the loom braided. However I have been told that it is bad practice to join wires within the braiding. Surely if I solder the join and insulate it with shrink sleeving this will be OK. As a follow on I can thoroughly recommend Vehicle Wiring Products. They sell everything that you could possibly need for any electrical job, do braiding and all at very good prices. Their catalogue is absolutely superb, especially the info on bulb wattages and recommended wire sizes.


Jan T
J Targosz

Jan,

Having spent lifetime in the electrical trade there are methods that result in highly reliable splices even in heavy industrial applications. Here are some ways to make a reliable splice.

For automotive size conductors I like a Western Union splice. You should be able to find a picture on the web. Once the conductors are spliced together the ends need to be smoothed so that no strands are protruding. If they are they can poke through the shrink sleeving as it contracts. Before applying the shrink sleeving solder the joint with a non-corosive solder/flux. Rosin core is good. Then brush the joint with rubbing alcohol to remove all residue and then soap and water followed by clean water rinse and hot air dry. Grasp the joint and if any points prick your fingers smooth the sharp points. Two layers of shrink are good, Stager splices that will be gathered into the same cable so as not to get an unmanageable bulge. I have lost track of the supplier but there are ready made shrink sleeves lined with a partly cure epoxy that seals the joint when heated. Ideal for under-car applications. A marine store may have them.

Good luck,

Jim Haskins 1953 TD
J. M. Haskins

This thread was discussed on 11/03/2014

MG TD TF 1500 index

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