Terminal Block tightening?
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Topic author - Posts: 75
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:22 pm
- First Name: Arthur
- Last Name: Babitz
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927ish Roadster Pickup
- Location: Hood River, Oregon
- Board Member Since: 2018
Terminal Block tightening?
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?
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?
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
Blue Loktite is every Model T's friend !!!
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
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.
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
Arthur, an EE is a desirable late model T crankshaft. Are you admitting to being an old crank?
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
I bought one of the exact reproductions that Larry's speaking of and it tightened up nicely.Original Smith wrote: ↑Wed Feb 27, 2019 6:57 pmIf 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.
1924 Touring
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
A few years ago Bob Bergstadt was selling NOS terminal blocks. I don't know if he has any left.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
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.
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Topic author - Posts: 75
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:22 pm
- First Name: Arthur
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
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?
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Repairing stripped out terminal Block screws.
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"
"It's the little bugs that eat Your lunch"
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
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.
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
You won't find the screws for the terminal block at any hardware store! They are #9X1/2.
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
Scott Conger
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
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- First Name: Kim
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Re: Terminal Block tightening?
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!
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- Posts: 3298
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Number: 121
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
- MTFCI Number: 16310
Re: Terminal Block tightening?
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.
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Topic author - Posts: 75
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 5:22 pm
- First Name: Arthur
- Last Name: Babitz
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927ish Roadster Pickup
- Location: Hood River, Oregon
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Terminal Block tightening?
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.