Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Picked up this 31 Roadster just before the winter and have not had much time in the New York unheated garage to play around.
Do you think I need a new wiring harness or just a little electrical tape.
Someone did a nice job of brazing the fan. Can you see it?


Seriously. Reading a lot of posts on how to upgrade headlight wiring using bullet connectors.

I will be using bullet ends on headlight bulb socket end and from new headlight wiring harness.
If the spring connectors are removed or not used on the bucket side where the conduit connects to the bucket. What puts tension on the conduit connector to hold it it place? Seems that the dimple on the conduit ferrule would not be enough to hold it in place.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Roadsters are great.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

I have a 29 Roadster that is absolutely wonderful. EVERYONE wants a ride in the rumble seat. You are going to have a ball. This blog is absolutely SOOOO friendly.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

That fan can be "wall art" . Please don't try to use it, Snyders has new ones that won't come apart and damage the radiator or hood, or a person. There's visible rust under the paint.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Unless you want to chance ruining a radiator and/or hood. You better replace that fan.
Ed

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

You can make a one blade fan out of it. The fan and wiring need to go in the trash.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Ditto the above re ditch that fan. It WILL fail and the consequences could be fatal
I reserve judgement on the wiring without being able to see it in person.
BTW, Nice car!

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

The fan is already gone as is the wiring harness. Trying to get a picture of how bullet connectors are used.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

I also vote for sending the harness and fan to the trash. Anyone who is riding around with an "original" 2 bladed fan is playing with a diaster waiting to happen.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Buy a new harness and anything else you need. Chasing electrical problems on the side of the road isn't fun. Make sure you get the harness with the correct contacts for the headlights. Some companies use the wrong ones.
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...d=976261&cat=0

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Congratulations on your new car. It is a beauty. And welcome to the Barn. May the Fordce be with you.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

I like the Brattons harness over Snyders. Brattons has all connectors soldered.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

At the 'Old Car Festival' at the Henry Ford Museum last year, the guy next to me had his fan let loose on his CCPU. the carnage on the hood was to say the least bad, blade went thru it and landed like 10 feet from the car. I agree, that brazed fan should be 'Wall-Art'

Dave

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Ditto

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

One additional purchase, Model A Mechanic Handbook by Les Andrews.
At 78 yrs, I don’t trust my memory. So this handbook continues to assist me with my fourth A. Which is a 1930 Roadster.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Good combo.
The fan should kill the rats next time they chew on the wiring.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Hello, definitely get rid of the fan , I had one break on a 30 Roadster, ruined hood side panel and radiator. Congratulations on the roadster, odd how the lower price roadsters have more demand now than originally higher price sedans. Looks like your car is Washington And Riviera Blue?

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

It's already GONE he said!! Wow.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

"It's already GONE he said!! Wow."

Fan tastic.

Re: Just bought a 31 roadster- Questions 1 at a time
 

Replace the wiring harness, it's easy. Make sure the battery cable is for 6 volt not 12v and your ground is clean. The wiring behind the dash is very important, I usually find a mess of bare wires that will cause problems.
Headlights when not working right, 99% of the time is a bad ground at the housing.