Wire Chafing

[RustyFords]

I've spent a lot of time tidying up the wires on my 24 Touring and am wondering if there was anything that the factory did to prevent wires from chafing where they go through the firewall in the hole above the junction block. (see photo)

[Scott_Conger]

Nope. Nothing.

[RustyFords]

Thanks Scott.

Another quick wiring question...

What did the factory do, if anything, to tie up the misc. wires behind the dashboard?

[Charlie B in N.J.]

Use a grommet. There's no sane reason to let them short out on a bare metal edge. Don't care what HF did if he did that he was wrong.

[Scott_Conger]

I have never seen any wire dressing or tie off done inside firewall/behind dash. I would think it is safe to say there was nothing done to neaten up or dress the wire.

And I agree with the grommet advice you got. If not, install a Fun Projects 25A fuse/fuse holder back at the battery. Sooner or later you'd need one or the other.

[CudaMan]

I too was concerned about the lack of a grommet in the firewall for the wire harness.

Upon close inspection, I discovered that the hole had a rolled edge that presented a smooth surface to the harness, so the factory apparently at least made a token effort to reduce chaffing.

[Scott_Conger]

that's an interesting observation...I wonder if the die was worn or there was a change. The '23 I rewooded had a simple punched hole. It's the only T I own with a steel firewall...not sure I can recollect what I've seen in the past, working on cars...never paid attention to that spot. Every day's a learning opportunity.

[Allan]

I have only ever found steel firewalls punched with a loom hole with a shoulder formed around the hole, presumably to reduce the chance of chafing. The extent of the shoulder does vary, some being a little split, others beginning to be rounded and beginning to return against the firewall.

Allan from down under.

[ArthurB]

Just redid my wiring. My 1927 firewall had a shoulder as Allan described, but I got a nice grommet at NAPA which was just big enough to let the wire loom through, and it was "thick" enough to allow for the shoulder in the firewall. Funny thing is the grommet package said it was for Ford cars.

[KeithG]

Arthur B., Would you possibly have the manufacturer's name and part number for that grommet? I'm re-wiring my '27 and would put one in there as it's a good idea.
Thanks,
Keith

[ArthurB]

Keith, the receipt was still in my car. The NAPA part # is 630-1067, and it is described as "Grommet (130)" It cost $4.29.

My recollection is it took a little effort to install since it was a hard rubber/plastic material and it was a hair oversized for the hole, but it went in and it's not coming out. It does a fine job protecting the loom and looks clean.

Here's pic. Yes, I know there is a modern coil and solenoid. Those were installed long before I bought the car!

[Scott_Conger]

Interesting...thanks for the info. My firewall is the early, low '23 small firewall...I wonder if a few insurance claims drove a change to have a radius?

[KeithG]

Hi Arthur, Thanks for the information - I'll get one!
BTW, are you involved with the WAAAM Museum in Hood River? Just wondering... I visited there just before Thanksgiving and liked it.
Thanks,
Keith

[jsaylor]

If you are using the original type loom there should not be a bunch of wires dangling around under the dash. If you have added accessories then jst tie them up with some waxed cord.

[Mark Gregush]

There can be. A lot of the under dash wire sets made some years back were made for sedans that required the longer loom and are too long for open cars. This is one of those one size fits all but were wrong.