Farmall Tractor Wiring Wrap-Up: Sheathing the Harness & Final Paint Batch Preps!

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[@colin8532]

X231 almost looked excited sitting in the background at the end of the video! LOL

[@mandolinman2006]

She's laughing right now thinking, "I messed up one eye with it's constant twitching. Let's see if I can do it to the other."

[@billhartl6601]

Hoping x231 is the fill in project till painting weather!!

[@RuralTowner]

That's just looooow. 😋@@mandolinman2006

[@gregoryschmitz2131]

Looks like a snake ingesting a critter. Very cool. I see the work as a balance that the guy on the pointy end has to make a decision on what works. I may ask a question as to what the thinking was, but my take is if I wanted to be the one doing the work I should be doing the work. Hat off and full respect to Squatch for his threading those needles.

[@kylechrist]

For the tag ends, a small piece of heat shink will help hold that permanently as well, all personal preference 👍

[@neilshep50]

I was thinking the same.

[@BrianSmith-lo3mj]

Thank you Squatch for teaching us how to restore an old Farmall H. You have a wealth of knowledge about these old tractors. I'm looking forward to good painting weather. (Only if Winter would actually leave :-)

[@larrymilliken288]

There's nothing as satisfying as a new, neat, clean, wiring harness-not to mention the reliability that comes with it! A beautiful job, and thanks for sharing all the hints, kinks, and reasons for doing what you did.

[@andyloebrown8250]

It's so satisfying watching tractor work done to perfection. Nice job !

[@williamschmiedel6890]

As someone who uses the wrap for work almost weekly, I second the shrink tube over the ends. As for cutting, I cut it a little long with scissors then insert the scissors into the end and run my soldering iron around the end hot knifing the wrap. The scissors keep the wrap from melting closed. Just my personal prefernces that have come with using thousands of feet of cable wrap in a wide range of diameters.

[@johngibson3837]

I think that's a better way to finish the ends too, a nice crisp line/finish is always a good thing

[@justinblain928]

The explanation of period correct is by far the best I’ve heard! Seriously people can’t understand that when these were painted on the line that everything but the wheels and tires were on the tractors and paint was only applied to cover as much of the bare metal and primer. My grandpa said his 1945 Wc was the worst paint and paint job he had ever seen. No paint on the bottom of hood and top of valve cover and a lot under tractor was not painted at all. He said it faded bad after 1 year of having it.

[@thomaspoeta6308]

Hey Toby! We would like to thank you for the videos on the electrical part of the tractor rebuild. It has helped my wife to understand some of the things that we are working on here. Great job explaining you are a teacher at heart. Look forward to you being able to paint again but will watch anything you post.

[@aussiedazvk4djh889]

Hay Squatchy. The H looks good the way she is. She has a new dress, ear rings and shoes. 👍

[@KennyKizzleRustyNutzRanch]

That nylon webbing is some great stuff. I started using it on the Harley's when I was working on them... It really does a great job at making a clean install, and like you said - poking wire leads through the sidewall helps to keep everything intact. To finish off the ends, I take shrink tubing and install it over the ends. Really adds to the clean and finished look. Top quality work, as always, my friend. Looking forward to switching gears and seeing some progress on X231. I've got "Christine 2.0" with this 1927 Model D! Ha ha!

[@emsguy486]

I know you said in an earlier video that electrical videos don’t do as well as your normal content but to me anything electrical or X-231 related are my favorite topics.

[@normsweet1710]

Thanks for introducing the “weave” for over the wire harness. Different sizes too 👍

[@theda850two]

As a kid back in the 1960s, I always got such a kick out of the oil filler cap on our old H, Usually 30 weight nondergent in a quart glass jar with the metal spout screwed on top. That oil was a dollar a gallon at the Midland co-op station

[@seniorelectrician6831]

Nice Job on the harness

[@user-mw6uf7dw2q]

We can see the END of this Project. One final Paint Job and a little run with the Farmall and we can take satisfaction of another Old Machine working like Perfectly. Thanks Squatch253

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

Another well thought out and presented video!! Nice job 👍!! 👏

[@Denis-tu1pd]

Tractors are just like a car .you put them together and get everything where you wanted then take it apart paint and rap the wires and then reassemble the car or in this case a tractor. When it's all done you turn the key with a smile and listen to your project run . Do a little tuning and take it for a ride with pride. Denis from Santa Rosa CA

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

I have never seen anyone mention it before.. but I enjoy it... On every video based at the workbench, Toby changes out the sign that serves as the backdrop behind the cardboard worktop.

[@duckyakauffetjurswe4533]

Heat shrink tube with glue for the ends of the braided tube is to recommend protects the ends from being unbraded in the future

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Squatch 253 :) also very good information about and rear lights think about also you explaining it too !

[@libsrdum]

Dr Squatch, PhD in tractor restoration. Such attention to detail.

[@StubProductions]

Excellent episode! Thank you very much!

[@JamesJones-gk5jd]

Neat and clean, just like aircraft wiring 👌

[@reedchandler2372]

I know you have said that the views have dropped on the electrical component videos, but I think it is an important part of the whole process. I appreciate how thorough you are. You are making me want to redo the 1942 Oliver 70 that I rescued from scape pile in 1980. It was my grandfather’s first tractor. My brother now has the farm, and keeps it in a shed, but I don’t think it has been run for 10 or 15 years.

[@angrybobking5083]

You can DO IT!

[@perrymclennan868]

Toby you do a swell job on this tractor show room Finnish Sweet man

[@fbh31118]

Really looking good squach. Great job on the technique and explanation. 👏👍

[@lifeafterourloss]

Fantastic! Great video. 👍

[@darmichar73]

This and the previous video were a master class in harness making. Thank you.

[@6point5by55]

After barber-poleing the loom, just wrap the cut ends of the tape with a strip of self-amalgamating butyl tape. Job done.

[@RickBork]

After 20 years of building and repairing wire harnesses with dollar store materials at the Ford garage isn't nice to have quality materials. 👍🍻

[@erik_dk842]

Please tell me thay you are kidding. Did they cheap out on that?

[@squatch253]

@erik_dk - Rick and I worked together for those 20+ years, he’ll back me up when I say we had the cheapest electrical tape possible (the adhesive always mostly peeled off and stuck to the outside of the roll, and even that wasn’t very sticky), we nearly had to check out zip ties like they were library books, consumables like Roloc discs were stored in a place that we couldn’t freely access, and a tube of dielectric grease had better last you a whole year or else you’d get a talk about how expensive it was. And I haven’t even waded into hardware/bolt selections yet…

[@RickBork]

@erik_dk842 Toby is 100% on that. We literally had to make the best of the worst every day.

[@erik_dk842]

I know that kind of employer, where you end up spending your own money on stuff that they should supply in abundance. I had to buy my own computer and printer for my first job,

[@williamhastings7182]

Squatch you are the talk of town on a Scrappy Industries tear down of a D4600 he trying to swap out. Interestingly enough he ran I to the dreaded 2 piece piston and I along with several others referred him to you Channel to learn all about them. You have a become a legend in the old cat world sir! Many many viewers referred him to your channel...great job Toby!

[@neilbush6190]

We are green guys over here in central ny but we could sure use some of your knowledge on everything common on these old relics

[@patreilly6826]

Excellent video on the proper way to do a harness.

[@ronzezulka6646]

Hey Toby,,beautiful job. Not many things as satisfying as a properly done wiring job,and you nailed it.

[@thomasheaney2087]

Thank you

[@1murder99]

Glad your eye problems have subsided. Hope you heal quickly and completely.

[@rickhipsag3761]

Would like to see how you made the wiring hold down clips

[@rogerallen6644]

Well done!!

[@larrydavidson3402]

Perfect job on the wiring harness, thanks for all the tips on how to do a professional job.

[@robertamerrick2000]

I used that exact same stuff on my race truck.

[@thirzapeevey2395]

I actually really enjoy and appreciate the "preempt the comment stream" commentary. Knowing why you chose to do something a certain way is often the most salient information. There is so much information out there now, information we could have only dreamed about when I was a kid and a young adult. Now the problem is how to choose which option to take. It really helps to understand why you do it one way, and someone else does it another way.

[@stuartstephens]

There is also non-adhesive tape available for wrapping wires. The advantage of that stuff is there's no adhesive to ooze out and get gooey over time, especially where it's close to hot things (it also can be easier to install, since it doesn't stick to your fingers.) It's available either with a smooth finish that looks like regular modern 3M tape, or with a cloth finish that looks vintage if that is desired. You can terminate it either with a short piece of shrink tube, or by slipping the tail end under the last wrap and pulling it tight sort of like a half hitch knot.

[@erik_dk842]

The kind that is totally smoot and non-sticking when you unroll it, but sticks to itself when you pull it?

[@geneguenther4325]

Thanks for the video Toby! I’ve enjoyed all the Preparation H videos. As sad as it is to see her put to bed for now I’m really looking forward to you picking back up on x231 even with it not being a big watch minute project. Can’t wait for the next video!

[@shaneharrison4775]

Great job harness building and and covering with looming I have no idea where dad got it but we did his Oliver AG 6 we had cloth looming for it much like the mesh you used except it was like a rag cotton weave mesh very loose the unit only had three lamps two at the front and one at the rear wide beam light the two fronts were angled to each side also wide beam lights deep cycle 6 volt positive ground our task was way more difficult on that thing had very few hangers and clips and the desired info wasn't in the manual not even in the shop manual. You did great on the H looks really sweet. Now for that painting weather.

[@joehovanec1985]

Squatch, you did a beautiful job on the wiring harness. Thank you for the sharing your knowledge and details with us.

[@arthurirwin8235]

It's one of the nicest done wiring harnesses I have seen!

[@ImpHalla66]

"It's my tractor, I'll do as I please. You can do whatever you want with your tractor, and I wont say squat."

[@petebrand6661]

Squatch, I find it shocking (no pun intended) how others find an electrical system so hard t work on yet if they and as you demonstrated take the time to sit and work out a "mud map" of how things go together its is simple and relatively easy, thank you for your patience in showing and explaining everything

[@brycewiborg8095]

I've never been a purist. On tractors Dad bought new he did upgrades as needed. We always had the rear light so we could almost see the implements we used. Those lights weren't all that bright . I bumped noses with purists because i replaced the distillate manifold. Also a friend had a better hood that wasn't punched for the small gasoline tank. Thank you.

[@PTC61]

All of the changes that were made over the life of the tractor are part of its story. I keep most because I like it and they are mine. I really don’t mind if the purists complain. I have a late styled John Deere B that has a yellow seat cushion simply because it was yellow when I got the tractor and I like it that way. Every event I have the tractor at I am told it is incorrect. If I had a nickel for every time…

[@Jimbo65203]

Toby, thank you for the great restoration of your tractor. I learned to operate a tractor on an IH McCormick-Farmall (1939 or 40) at the age of 9 or 10, and I've always felt connected to the farming community, albeit I'm not a farmer myself. I have a photo of myself at the wheel of what appears to be a wide-front Farmall Super A.

[@Ihbinder14]

Excellent job, thanks for bringing us along.

[@raincoast9010]

Good Job!

[@clydeschwartz]

Excellent video the wiring harness looks really nice. It is quite rare to see a H or M Era Farmall tractor with a rear light on them. Keep up the great videos hopefully x231 can get some attention again 👍

[@johna7661]

Looks great! I’m looking forward to the first start when it makes a half revolution and lights off!

[@AB-nu5we]

I like that wrap. Really keeps the project neat looking. Again, thanks for sharing the process.

[@johnd7288]

Looks very neat ! The tractor is going to be like a new tractor nice work !

[@HamiltonFamily2023]

Very nice restoration. Good attention to detail too,. I know restoring an antique tractor is a lot of work as I own 12 antique tractors

[@raincoast9010]

It's going to look really nice when it's painted.

[@jimamundsen7029]

Terrific content as usual. Cannot wait for Spring and the resumption of Preparation H, but looking forward to X231 resumption in the meantime. Thanks Toby. Good stuff. Love the wiring job by the way.

[@jonmordan1656]

Can't wait for the next episode

[@squatch253]

It might be coming up rather soon, the weather forecast looks favorable for outdoor painting in a few days, so I’ve already started prepping the sheet metal so that I’ll have everything ready to go if I do get the chance to spray 👍

[@jonmordan1656]

@@squatch253 I'm getting ready to start my first full restoration on an h and need all the education i can get. I just love watching your videos and love your attention to detail!

[@markdavich5829]

Dangit - Now I gotta go back thru the harness in my Olds LOL

[@joelknierim1456]

Thanks for the video

[@rickyjessome4359]

Fantastic job on the wiring harness Toby! The preparation H series was great. As always I'm looking forward to the next video. Cheers

[@michaelshingleton1628]

I like the modern loom material. Will look to buy me some. Also that shrink wrap with the internal glue that is commonly called marine grade shrink wrap. The coast Guard requires this type of shrink wrap. West Marine has a large selection of this type of shrink wrap. The only thing I would do in addition is shrink wrap the ends of the loom to tightly seal the ends of the loom. On to the X231 yea. I would really like to see that looking more like a tractor again. Farmall h does look good. Also started viewing just a few acres farm a couple months before you mentioned it. He is super soft spoken. Farmers come up with some interesting solutions. I enjoyed the one where the dairy farmer pumped all the cow waste into what amounts to a very large black plastic bag then he generates all his electrical power from the methane collected in the bag. I Sure he runs at least a 100 kilowatt generator and I believe he sells excess power back to the power company. Soldier on my friend.

[@kevinblack3223]

Awesome job on the wiring harness. I’ve use several of your tips on another tractor. I do not find your electrical videos. Boring but educational. Standing by for the next video.

[@geneard639]

I've worked with both the Dacron braided and stainless steel braided cable jacketing. A Marlin Spike and a dental hook (with the sharp point dulled and rounded using a file and stone) works GREAT to open the braid and fish out wires and small bundles. The use of liquid whipping using a brush works, so does self vulcanizing tape but that doesn't last. Usually we used a steel locking band with enough braid to fold back over it, then use self vulcanizing tape to secure the braid over the steel band. When setting the steel band, we'd stick the Marlin Spike into the braid to prevent wire chaffing.

[@williamhastings7182]

Come on X231....Woohoo...lets go!

[@charlescompton4495]

Switching from Preparation H to Cold Cream! Thanks for letting me watch till now. Greg

[@robertkinstle9413]

Have you considered one of the inflatable paint booths to allow painting these small parts inside?

[@mowjunk186]

Squatch - I would really like to see how you fabricated the cable clamps. Do you think you might be able to do a little demo of that one day? You have one of the most informative channels on you tube. You and Senior are wonderful teachers. Thank you for what y'all do!

[@squatch253]

There’s currently a video of that process playing over on the Members’ Channel, that’s the type of content that is perfect for the episodes that I make for over there 👍

[@angrybobking5083]

Becoming a member is worth every penny

[@wotnoturbo]

Glue lined heat shrink is a better termination for braided sleaving, 👍

[@janking2762]

So cool!

[@lawrencejneuser8801]

Thank you for drawing attention to the rear light That I had made comment to.

[@azenginerd9498]

My criticism with the woven sheathing is that later on it collects oil/dirt in the millions of voids and can be challenging to clean. Not a problem for equipment that neither leaks nor is outdoors. We finish our ends with traditional lacing tape methods. The same heat that shrinks tubing also readily melts the sheathing so additional care is needed when going with that approach.

[@steamfan7147]

McMaster Carr=Candy Store. If the old timers had that style wire loom available, they would have used it, because it's better.

[@TMxl-w5t]

Very neat, and tidy indeed 👍👌

[@moplum]

When I use cloth friction tape I cut a two to three inch tail at the end of the wrap. Used the tails to tie it into a knot around the wrap. Then cut the tails. I learned that from taking apart factory friction tape loomb wraps. I’m glad you went in detail with the newer covering. I have never used it. But I plan to on a big rewire on my current project.

[@Radiotexas]

Excellent wiring job. I have used miles of that cable weave in my radio station work. I do, however, add a short piece of shrink wrap over the end of the wire. THEN put on the connector and seal the connector to the weave. To me, it makes for a neater job BUT you have to really be careful and allow enough wire (a service loop) to add the connector. In any case, a top notch job (as usual) from you. Thanks!

[@dougkubash8673]

Another great video! You would have to change the plug wires back to the solid core wires if you switched back to points but that would be simple to do. Great job!!

[@jondavidmcnabb]

Your technique is excellent. The only difference that I do when making wiring harnesses is to shrink wrap the parts with the frayed areas. My customers love the look and it keep the material of the wrap from ever fraying more.

[@daohnstad]

Already looking forward to the red going down!

[@Agnemons]

When it comes to restoration/rebuilds the only valid standard to work to is "You do you"

[@sveneandersson7888]

Very well done, and I learned a lot! Thank You!

[@davidvogel6359]

i think first of all that it is your tractor and you can do what you want. I also think improving the paint, electrical reliability and usability is just smart to do so it fits the need. thanks for the careful explanations of what you are doing and why. our H never had a rear light because we didn't drive it down the road at night. our 560 and 606 both had rear lights factory installed and we would occasionally drive down to plow out the church parking lot with the 560 with the two point mounted blade. good memories.

[@rgmoore]

You went through a lot of gymnastics to explain that you did this restoration your way. I would have wrapped the ends of that loom with some friction tape as I get ticked off when the loom moves and eventually frays out. But that's my preference. I also consider the generator and battery consumables, so I would replace them with a modern consumable part. It's just a matter of preference. As you said, many things would be done differently if you were looking to do a period-correct restoration. This tractor is being restored to your preferences, and that's great because it's your tractor and project.

[@roosterhunter6245]

Awesome! Will definitely use these techniques for future wire harness builds. I live in pack rat territory its a constant battle with them vermin!

[@erik_dk842]

No such kill as overkill. I come to think of the line from the movie _Blues Brothers_ _"The use of excessive force to apprehend the Blues Brothers has been approved"_

[@bobpaterson1845]

Interesting video as always 👍 although i bought a ready made harness getting shown how to sheath the harness properly was great 😃 as to your reference regarding rear lights the McCormick International i have does not even list a harness for the rear lights 😳im assuming that they think its within most peoples capabilities to run one power lead to each light unit and an earth to ground 🤔👍

[@ericsargent4551]

Great video!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@aserta]

To further prevent unwrapping of the tape, i put a glue type shrinktube on top. Keeps the wrap from loosening even over time. I do it at both ends, start and stop, because that's where most of the tension in the tape is, and it always wants to escape and unravel.

[@aserta]

A trick for the ends of these sheaths: glue type shrinktube, twisted inside out (it's a bit difficult, especially on smaller diameters, but it is doable, i use a mandrel in a vise and i slowly walk the inside out with a skewer). Then we take that, place it inside the frayed end, and then (again, but only half way) walk the shrinktube back over the frayed end, making a nice sleeved end. Once heated, the glue will activate (it's recommended to use a high quality glue shrink tube here) and glue to both itself and the sheath, making a clean, never fraying end.

[@timwatson682]

ooh - nice. I have often used the glue filled heatshrink to finish the braided harnesses - never occurred to me to fold it back like that - of course if you do that, you haven't glued the braid to the harness. Thanks - I'm stealing that idea!

[@erik_dk842]

That's Squatch level of perfection!

[@deerejohn1681]

Absolutely incredible episode! I don't like buying wiring harnesses. Im going to give your method a try.

[@robburley9494]

Let the X games commence.

[@briankemp8101]

I look forward to more being done on x231, its a shame that it has had to be in the shadows for so long. I still have enjoyed everything else you have been doing.

[@KG-yn9qi]

10X . 10X. 10X …… it is where I started watching….. then the D6…. Then the little 10…… note in the sixtes as kid helped build sand rail buggies…. One guy was making up his harness. He was even running it inside the tube/frame of the vehicle. Was down to the last bit… but some how he touched and shorted it out. It stuck inside the frame so before he could cut the battery cable it melted the whole harness!!! Was terrible and funny at the same time! As every one told him not to hook up battery till last after doing a continuity’s test because he hid the wire inside the frame…. Note this guy was an electrician worked for the local power company for the state (PG&E of California!) He knew better that’s why it was funny!!!

[@sixtoes2313]

👍

[@KevinJones-pj8kx]

A bit of heatshrink at the ends of your mesh would make for a nice clean end. Another one is the old what was called friction tape harness wrap. I have gotten it from Amazon.

[@timothyball3144]

For repairs mid-loom, I use the split loom from McMaster. Same material, but it doesn't need to go on from the end.

[@michaelbrash8843]

Reminds me of snakeskin. I hate snakes. Haha. Have a good day.

[@johngibson3837]

When it was going on reminded me ov a gready snake