Carl Fausett

You may know already that we manufacture engine wiring harnesses for the very early 928 (1978 - 1983)

But, the rubber boots for some of these connectors are becoming harder to source. And frankly, sometimes the wires are still good.... its the wire loom that has failed, not the wiring inside (not yet, anyway). So, I have started looking around for other options for when I cannot get the rubber boots anymore...

I found this very neat self-fusing silicone tape. Similar to a room temperature vulcanizing rubber - accept this is self-fusing silicone.

Can be applied in temps from 70 to 100 deg F, and once installed, withstands temps from -76 to +392 deg F. Naturally resistant to oils and most chemicals.

Applys easily, yet when done, molds and fuses to itself to make a single, weather-tight boot. I am very impressed with it, so we now stock it in two colors: Black and Red.

More information about it is available here:
http://www.928motorsports.com/parts/...repair_kit.php

RyanPerrella

looks good when finished, i am impressed.

How long is the roll?

borland

self-vulcanizing silicone tape..... I don't believe that is water tight.

self fusing Scotch 2228 Rubber Mastic tape might be a better choice

http://solutions.3m.com/3MContentRet...ersion=current

Alan

Its certainly watertight to itself - but around the connector boot it will very much depend on how well you attach it - but that would apply to all tapes to some degree.

The Scotch rubber tape may well be better - but 100% (e.g. submerged) watertight probably isn't that critical here - mechanical protection and very good splash protection is probably equally important to longevity.

Alan

linderpat

Carl - I just spent a great deal of time trying to find a tape just like that. It is hard to find. I did locate
X-treme tape, made by a comapny out of St Louis called Vypar. I ordered it thru some online hardware warehouse. It looks just like your tape, except the band running thru it is blue. It works like a charm, just as you say, self adhereing, no glue silicone. The X-treme tape is rated to +500 F according to its source material. I have put it on some of my bad connectors, and I am very happy with the sealing process. To me, the most important ingrediant is to be heat resistant. Water tightness is fine, but there typically isn't alot of moisture under the hood from what I can see. Glad you stock this kind of product - won't be such a PIA to find it next time! What is your price per roll (I assume 1" X 10')?

dprantl

Yet another reason to *never* pressure wash an engine...

Dan
'91 928GT S/C

Bill Ball

I've been using the tape Carl shows for a long time - it holds up very well to engine heat and does not unravel or get brittle. I used it to repair the boot on my MAF connector at least 2 years ago and it still looks very good. Sure, it would be more proper to replace the boot, but this tape works so well, I don't feel a need to. Also have a role of the X-treme tape Ed mentioned - very similar. And I have the rubber EPR mastic, good for sealing outdoor connections, such as on our cable TV box junctions. It's bulkier than the silicone and its temperature stability is unknown.

blown 87

That looks a lot like the tape that MSD sells for plug wires.

Carl Fausett

Other differences:
Rubber resists gasoline, but is hardened and cracked by ozone (alternators produce ozone) and softened by oil.
Silicone resists ozone and oil, but is destroyed by gasoline.

Rubber does not tolerate heat as well, and ages quickly.
Silicone does not seem to age.

But be advised: silicone hoses come in two grades. There is a cheap grade of silicone that splits easily, and the tear will propagate right down the side like a seam. You can tear this type of silicone at the ends just trying to stretch it too far over a hose barb. The high-end silicone is very tough to tear, and if torn, the tear does not spread. Just an FYI.

Big Dave

So, do this stuff fuse via engine heat or does it need to be done with another heat source?

linderpat

If it's like X-treme tape, it is self fusing, no heat or external adhesive required. Sets in about 5 to 10 minutes, then you need to cut it off if you make a mistake with it...

Jim M.

It's been used in aviation for a long time. And not hard to find. I found self fusing silicone tape in about 5 minutes with Google. Made by 3M in grey and others in a complete range of colors. All of them that I found were capable of withstanding 500 deg. F with great dielectric properties. Ordered two rolls locally, with delivery in 3 days.

docmirror

Me too, used it on planes for a long time. It's great, but take your time putting it on. Start clean, wrap tightly, but don't tear it. costly but good stuff.

Livio928

This is available in your local hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, or your version of Canadian Tire (big hardware store). Found in the adhesives section and needs to be looked up as "Self Sealing Silicone Tape". Can also be used to wrap plumbing, or hose and seal a leak if in a tight jamb. Used it to fix my FI harness and electrical Harness. Works like a charm.

KenRudd

I've used it to repair my brake pad sensor wires and ABS sensor wires in the wheel wells. Works very well in that harsh environment.