Plastic wire harness cover tube in trunk

[RAS68]

My Question is about the plastic tube like cover which goes around the tail light wire harness on 1968 Camaros (maybe 1967 and 69 as well) . I have noticed that on some original cars there is a plastic tube or black plastic like cover which goes over the tail light wire harness. You can see an example on Darrell Cook's L78 car in the Original Cars section ( look at the trunk pictures). The "tube" I am referring to seems to start over the drivers side wheel well ( in the trunk) and continues at least until the DS tail light. I have noticed some examples of this cover continue on under the gas fill tube over to the PS tail light. I want to know what this item is called, what details or features would make it correct and original and which vendors have one of these tube covers available? Thanks in advance.
Allen

[169INDY]

I have mine pulled out for restoration and can snap a pic and take some measurements for you.

[RAS68]

Thanks Jim that would be helpful. I look forward to seeing the pics.

[Camarocards]

Allen,

The item you’re referring to is the sheathing that goes over the taillight harness. You are correct in that the harness enters the trunk from the drivers side. The sheathing covers the harness all the way to the passenger side.

I don’t believe that any vendor carries the sheathing. In fact, when you purchase a reproduction harness the sheathing is absent. I took the sheathing off of my old harness and reinstalled it on the reproduction harness in order to make “technically” correct.

Bob

[68camaroz28]

Yes, the 68’s had the plastic sleeve and 69’s do not. I know of no place to purchase the correct size/type of plastic sleeve and ended up using a donor while using our original to duplicate everything on the new harness. One advantage is the sleeve was used for the  length of the harness even before entering the trunk so it helps finding a donor if needed with enough length that will cover the wiring harness once entering the trunk to the far end. Here are a couple pics of a friends 68 survivor and then 3 from our restoration using an original sleeve, finding correct tar tape and even taping the clips on as they were taped from the factory. I have this info on my team Camaro build thread somewhere. LOL




Note I had to change some plugs from my original to the new harness along with the sleeve.

[KurtS]

That sheathing is also used in 69 for the rear speaker wiring under the metal wiring guards.

[169INDY]

1968
Thickness appx 0.025"-0.030"
Width when flat 2-1/8"
Outside diamter of overlaped round split tube smalles 1/2" to puckered 3/4"
Length 17 feet 8 inches, One Continuous length.

[RAS68]

Wow what great information from you guys! Bob that's a good picture showing how the sheathing starts from inside the car then goes over the wheel well. Also you call it a "sheathing". I did not know what to call it. Chick - those are excellent pictures and details of the the clips and the tape. Those pictures will be useful if I ever find the sheathing to put on my car. I was wondering if the tape and clips went on the outside of the sheathing and you have answered that. Jim -your pictures with the length and other dimensions are very thorough and useful and should allow me to find some sort of reasonable substitute if I can't find a used one. The sheathing tube is so long it must start up near the drivers side front seat. Man, I can't thank you all enough for the time and the great information. CRG Forum is absolutely the best resource for these original details like this. If I find a supplier or a reasonable substitute I will post it here.
Allen

[RAS68]

I found a supplier for the trunk wire cover sheath. I bought some through AMAZON - just type in " PVC black tube sleeve for wire harness". Get the 5/8" OD as it has exactly the same specs that 169INDY posted. They have it in different lengths as well. You have to split it your self but it looks good. I used the pictures that the respondents posted to recreate the wire harness cover in my trunk. I have posted some pictures. Thanks to all the folks that posted with information and thanks to this FORUM!!!
Allen

[Mike S]

Looks like the same that is used in the rocker gutter?

Mike

[68camaroz28]

Looks like the same that is used in the rocker gutter?

Mike

Yes it is Mike and ran entire length on our 68. l used original piece but since it was so long I could salvage a piece long enough that covered the exposed wiring and could easily mock up new wiring harness with portion of sheath to match.

[169INDY]

Does this Sleeve Apply to the 67 Model year Camaros?

[Pacecar]

No - Only 1968 cars had the sheathing. Kurt is right that it was also used in 1969 for cars with a rear speaker. I do not know if second gen cars also received this sheathing for the rear speaker. Also, do not know about other Chevy or GM models that might be a source