MTFCA Forum

As an EE I couldn't tolerate the messy wiring of my 1927 Roadster so I yanked everything, installed a terminal block (and fuse) at the firewall and then rewired all with proper wires. The only part which I'm not satisfied with is the terminal block itself. I bought it from Langs, it has 6 positions and is rubber coated with #6 machine screws. My question is: how do I make sure the screws don't back out with vibration? Under each screw I have an internal tooth lockwasher, a washer, 2 ring terminals, and another washer. But since it's tightening against a rubber lining, no matter how tight I screw it in it seems like it can just shake itself loose over time. I can't get it tight enough so the wires can't move, and as soon as you wiggle a wire I imagine the screw will loosen.

I've never used thread locker on a terminal block before, but it's awfully tempting. What's the consensus on this? Am I imagining a problem that isn't there, or what is the solution to keep my wires from shaking loose?

Blue Loktite is every Model T's friend !!!

If you use one of our exact reproduction terminal blocks, you won't have to worry, but they are twice as expensive as the rubber ones.

Arthur, an EE is a desirable late model T crankshaft. Are you admitting to being an old crank?

Allan from down under.

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 27, 2019 6:57 pm

If you use one of our exact reproduction terminal blocks, you won't have to worry, but they are twice as expensive as the rubber ones.

I bought one of the exact reproductions that Larry's speaking of and it tightened up nicely.

I have the repo orig style Larry was referring to. The only problem I had was one of the screws was stripped, so I went the the hardware store and got one a little longer and slightly thicker. After 4 years in Calif and 3 here in Missourah , no problems with loosening.

Thanks guys, I think the Langs and Snyders catalogs sent me a bit astray here. Both of them indicate the "original style" terminal block is for show cars, which sure isn't me, so I didn't read any further. If I'm reading it correctly the "original style" terminal blocks are much harder rubber, and wood screws instead of machine screws. Is that about the size of it?

I had a problem with intermittent headlights,horn and Generator charging. Found the yellow battery lead terminal had got hot and was discolored. had melted plastic insulation starting to show at the terminal lug. I found the terminal screws on the yellow and green wire's were stripped and would snug up but not tighten. I removed the screws and drilled out the hole and filled with plastic wood. after it dried. drilled the screw holes. Replaced the terminal lug. Now screw and terminal lug is tight and intermittent electrical problem solved.

"It's the little bugs that eat Your lunch"

I'm using the (Reproduction) original style Terminal Block. It is very robust. I believe it is cast from an original. It sure looks the part with a slight texture and some lightly rounded corners here and there. Looks like it was made from Fordite, but naturally it wouldn't be in this day and age. For me I like the looks of it and most importantly, the proper screws stay tight. Really looks like it belongs there.

You won't find the screws for the terminal block at any hardware store! They are #9X1/2.

I have fixed terminal blocks the same way that I was taught to fix stripped door hinge screw holes. Wooden match sticks or toothpicks. They will "swell" to tighten in the hole (no drying time). I was taught this trick by my carpenter father. Works great. I haven't lost a door yet. HA!

Blacksmith Bolt. That's who I get them from now. For years, I was able to find originals, but the supply finally dried up. I'm happy Blacksmith started making them again. They have a good operation up there.

I stopped by WAAAM yesterday to check on a '26 Touring they were restoring. This one took Kim's "toothpick" fix to the extreme: the entire terminal block was made from a chunk of wood. Not clear if this was a period repair or more recent, but they get some points for creativity.