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Old 01-27-2015, 04:59 PM   #1
joel
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Default crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

I have to add some wiring connectors to the harness that runs to the taillights. the 'bullit" on the tail light look like they have been crimped. Is there a tool to do this?
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Old 01-27-2015, 05:39 PM   #2
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

Yes, but you also want to solder the bullet on.
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Old 01-27-2015, 05:51 PM   #3
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

Thanks Lawson. do you know where I could find a crimping tool ? Is it a special tool?
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Old 01-27-2015, 06:47 PM   #4
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

Forget the crimping tool and solder them on.
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Old 01-27-2015, 06:53 PM   #5
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

Joel
I only soldered mine. I used a hardwood block with three holes drilled about 3/4 inch apart, set Fahnestock connectors in holes, insert wires one at a time into connectors and solder. Hold still until solder turns dull. move on to next one. Heat shrink tubing to finish the job.
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Old 01-27-2015, 06:53 PM   #6
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

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You can get them in Walmart, Harbor Freight, etc, I crimp first and check out all my connections then go back and solder.
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Old 01-27-2015, 07:21 PM   #7
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

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Originally Posted by corvette8n View Post
You can get them in Walmart, Harbor Freight, etc, I crimp first and check out all my connections then go back and solder.
Pure junk......just solder.If you must crimp use Thomas&Betts crimpers only.
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Old 01-27-2015, 08:31 PM   #8
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

I'm not following this at all, how would you crimp on a bullet connector with one of these type of crimpers? Do not see how that could be accomplished without destroying the bullet at best.
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Old 01-27-2015, 09:02 PM   #9
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

Some of the early terminals were wrapped around a tinned wire end for soldering but most bullet types were just shoved over the wire and insulation then only soldered at the tip. The OEM bullet terminals were tinned soft copper. Those turned brass ones are crap. Some suppliers still have the tinned copper available since those are the best ones to use.
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Old 01-27-2015, 09:06 PM   #10
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

Jerry
I believe they are talking about the ones with the blue plastic insulators.
The Fahnestock connectors are solder only. The Fahnestock Bullet is bigger diameter than the Thomas and Betts insulated connector, so not interchangeable.
C and G early Ford Parts has them in a package of 10 part number B-14486-S.
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Old 01-27-2015, 09:50 PM   #11
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

I've built my entire harness with cloth wiring and old style connectors, and as said don't waste your time crimping the bullets, just solder them. They can be crimped inside the groove, but it takes a special crimp tool, and as said the brass ones are much thicker than original style. I tried using a $300 crimp tool on them and it still did not work right.
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Old 01-27-2015, 10:19 PM   #12
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

I'm guessing there have been enough connection issues with using the bullet connectors as they were designed to just snap together so many have decided to solder them? My '35 was a pretty nice survivor except for paint and interior. I put a fresh engine, trans, clutch, PP, & FW. At the same time I removed all the old harnesses and none of the bullets were soldered. I installed all the new harnesses and the new bullets all snapped into place with the female counter parts. It's been over a year and all are still making good contact with no problems. I'm assuming after reading this thread that others have tried snapping them together as designed and had problems so soldered them? Those who have and decided to solder, how long before the problems develop?
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Old 01-27-2015, 11:46 PM   #13
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AnthonyG View Post
I'm guessing there have been enough connection issues with using the bullet connectors as they were designed to just snap together so many have decided to solder them? My '35 was a pretty nice survivor except for paint and interior. I put a fresh engine, trans, clutch, PP, & FW. At the same time I removed all the old harnesses and none of the bullets were soldered. I installed all the new harnesses and the new bullets all snapped into place with the female counter parts. It's been over a year and all are still making good contact with no problems. I'm assuming after reading this thread that others have tried snapping them together as designed and had problems so soldered them? Those who have and decided to solder, how long before the problems develop?
================================================== ======


hi Anthony, just a note to say that others are talking about soldering the
bullet connector to the wire for the best connection. They would still just
plug the male bullet into the female counterpart. No solder needed there.









.
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Old 01-27-2015, 11:55 PM   #14
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

Just pulled out some original wire harnesses and they are crimped and then soldered from the hole in the tip. So both crimped and soldered. Looks like the way to go, but would think just solder would work fine if done in moderation. The crimps are small depressions on each side of the neck of the bullet across from each other.
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Old 01-28-2015, 02:31 AM   #15
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

I made a pair of bullet crimpers by taking a large pair of pliers and welding two pieces of metal into the jaws, drilling from each side to leave about a 3/32 piece in the middle and then filing the remainder into a small hexagon. The handles are long and I can get good leverage. It might be possible to do the same with some vise grip type pliers to get the required leverage without having to be too long.

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Old 01-28-2015, 03:04 AM   #16
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

There you go lads. Mart has a solution once more
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Old 01-28-2015, 08:00 AM   #17
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

In my working career, I maintained a fleet of electric lift trucks so I dealt with d.c. connections a lot. A good crimp is a better connection than a solder joint if the lug is desiged for that. If a wire is a loose fit in a lug and the gap is filled with solder, that would not be considered a good connection, and letting the solder wick up into the wire is also not good.
If these bullet connectors aren't designed to be crimped, then solder is the only alternative. Copper conducts electricity better than lead (or tin or whatever modern solder is made of).
If the wire was a loose fit in the lug I needed to use, I would sometimes strip the wire twice as long and double it over to make a tight fit and a better crimp.
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Old 01-28-2015, 08:31 AM   #18
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

I have had many crimped joints pull apart and have never, ever had a properly soldered joint pull apart!
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Old 01-28-2015, 08:40 AM   #19
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mart View Post
I made a pair of bullet crimpers by taking a large pair of pliers and welding two pieces of metal into the jaws, drilling from each side to leave about a 3/32 piece in the middle and then filing the remainder into a small hexagon. The handles are long and I can get good leverage. It might be possible to do the same with some vise grip type pliers to get the required leverage without having to be too long.

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Old 01-28-2015, 09:32 AM   #20
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Default Re: crimping wiring bullitt male terminals?

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Originally Posted by JSeery View Post
I'm not following this at all, how would you crimp on a bullet connector with one of these type of crimpers? Do not see how that could be accomplished without destroying the bullet at best.
This type should be soldered only.
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