Engine Wiring
March 21st 1996

Basics
Use real wires so they can be posed
If rubber hoses only available thread a wire through it so it is poseable. The exception is if you know you are going to be tying the hose into a specific position.
Real hoses are clamped off/ wired off and sag due to their weight. Do not have rubber wires floating in the air.
Avoid sharp bends or abrupt turns with rubber hoses (in real life this would cut off the fluids). Unless they are copper or aluminum hoses then they can have sharp bends
Thread is not a good material for hoses since it doesn't look very realistic (I know they are inexpensive but you do want your model to look good)
If you are using wire and want to simulate rubber or another colour (no others available), give the wire a light sand with fine grit sandpaper (400-600) and paint or use permanent marker. (note: do not handle too much or the paint may come off) If possible do as much of the bending needed before painting
-Use scale wire not just wire that happens to be laying around.
-Wires don't just go into a hole in the engine, some type of connector is usually present.

1. Drill hole size of wire (cut wire longer than needed, be very optimistic) If not sure about drill and wire sizes test on sheet plastic before cutting into you kit
2. Add boot or fitting leaving approx. 1/8" of wire at the end. (more if you want, this can be cut off later)
3. Test fit and if possible glue from behind. If not add glue to 1/8" tip and insert. (not too much so that this motion will result in glue oozing out)

Boots
Here is a simple and cheap method for making boots. Find a larger diameter hose that can fit snugly over the hose/ wire that you are using. Cut off a 1/8" piece with an exacto knife. Do not use a pair of scissors as this will not cut cleanly.

AN Fittings
1. If using braided lines add super glue to the end. This will prevent it from fraying and you can thread the fitting on. This will also allow you to file the end of braided hose so threading is a lot easier
2. As above drill hole in model for the hose and test fit
3. Test fit AN fitting before gluing on. Keep filed end of braided hose so inserting into model is easier.

Hose Clamps
Bare metal foil and small rod for small hose clamps
For bigger ones use aluminum sheet or brass sheet
This is best explained in a diagram but one is not available at this time. This method is for larger scale vehicles as hose clamps for 24 scale cars are very hard.

Tying Up Wires
1. Cut section of rubber hose that is correct size diameter for wire bundle
2. Stretch wire around bundle and move down to desired position
3. If needed stretch the hose with an exacto knife but be careful not to cut loop
4. If loop too loose use a dab of glue in a spot that will not be seen

1. Use wire and do one loop around wire bundle
2. Use clamp or pliers to hold ends of the loop (must be done this way hand tightening will not get the loop tight enough) (from experience by hand the loop will be too loose and may shift)
3a. Drill hole in part and thread loose end through hole until you can't see any part) If possible glue from inside. If not be careful with glue application so no glue is present or this will give away how you ties wires down. Also do not drill hole too large or loop and wire bundle will not hide it.
3b. Cut tail as close to loop as possible. This can be done as close as only one turn. If afraid of loop coming off or moving add a touch of glue on the far side of loop not seen by Joe Q Public.

General Wiring Tips
Use different sizes of wire for variety

Wire Looms
There are aftermarket wire looms and they do look nice but you can make these as follows
1. Draw on sheet plastic/ aluminum etc. position of holes
2. Drill holes
3. Fit wires through
4. Cut out loom from plastic sheet

Cheap or Small Connectors
Since all wires/ hoses have connectors it is not possible to use aftermarket fittings all the time. Sometimes a simple strip of bare metal foil or brass sheet strip is good enough
1. Use bare metal foil, cut into strips and wrap around hose. Add a touch of glue so the bar metal foil will not move over time
2. Use thin brass/ Aluminum sheet and repeat above

For thin brass or aluminum sheet cut a strip off and roll this around a tube of the same size as the fitting will be. Cut the loop from this rolled sheet, some overlapping can be allowed since this can be hidden on the far side Joe Q Public can't see. Use a dab of glue to hold it in place.

Thin sheet can be cut with an exacto knife and a straight edge. Just repeat scoring and either break through or cut enough to bend and break off

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