Marking Instrument Panel Wires

[Christopher R.]

I'm considering removing the instrument cluster on my '62 in order to fix some nagging problems. When I've done this before, I marked the wires with little slips of paper wrapped in Scotch tape. That doesn't work so great. I'll bet there is a better method. What do people use to mark wires for later reassembly?

[Steven B.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

In 1997 I disassembled my Triumph Spitfire and labeled each wire using a black marker on masking tape, put the tape on the wire and covered with clear tape (the flexible type). When I last checked a few months ago it is still readable and in tact.

[Chuck G.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

Magic Marker or Sharpie on masking tape.

Chuck

[Rick C.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

Electricians use neat little wire labels that have numbers or letters on them with a sticky back. You can wrap them around the wires and will pull off easily when done. They come in little books. Home Depot, etc carry them.
Rick

[Mike M.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

Electricians use neat little wire labels that have numbers or letters on them with a sticky back. You can wrap them around the wires and will pull off easily when done. They come in little books. Home Depot, etc carry them.
Rick

they also come on a roll with cutters to seperate the #'s at a length you desire. more handy than the book-style. i get them at the local electrician supply house.mike

[Alan S.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

Hi Chris,
I used little manila card tags with strings. They're easy to find at Staples or Office Depot.
I needed a sure fire system because I'm color blind for some colors, and it was a few years before the harnesses were going back in.
Regards,
Alan

[Stephen R.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

On my 59, I used a magic marker and masking tape and numbered them. Then I made a map of the back of the panel with all of the holes/ connections displayed and put the corresponding number next to the hole/connection. I removed the gauges but did not disconnect the wires from the gauges, That saved some time.

[Steven B.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

they also come on a roll with cutters to seperate the #'s at a length you desire. more handy than the book-style. i get them at the local electrician supply house.mike

I use these on my plug wires---and I keep them on.

[Greg G.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

Chris,
I am with Alan the manila tags work great they are large enough to write more than just a number if you want. They will not leave any residue on the wires when you take them off, I use them at work all the time. But I use the tags with wire instead of string they are quicker, just twist on and off. If you need them to last awhile I cover them with packaging tape.
Greg

[Louis T.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

Hi Chris,

All of these suggestions are excellent. I'll add something from a different angle - I suggest you also order a set of color-coded OSOEZ laminated wiring diagrams for your year car from Geoffrey Coenen (DocREBUILD). I picked up a set for my '65 last year. They are more accurate and complete than the B&W ones copied from the AIMs, and in addition to showing wires in their actual colors, they show pictures of all connectors, junctions, splices, etc., their locations, as well as bulb and fuse ID numbers. You'll find them indispensable.

http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/NEW1.pdf

Good luck!

Louis

[Brian M.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

I'm with Louis on this, I have the OSOEZ charts for my 67 eng. comp. & dash great product.

[Roger W.]

Re: Marking Instrument Panel Wires

Wow! I had never heard about these diagrams before. They will make life allot easier.

Roger