The Ford Barn

biggieou · 02-19-2017, 04:03 PM

I have what will most likely be two dumb questions, so I'll lump them together in one post.[emoji2]

1. How do I crimp the bullet ends so they are actually tight? I keep trying and they keep pulling out.

2. Is the chrome wire conduit supposed to go inside the radiator shell?

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29spcoupe · 02-19-2017, 04:06 PM

I soldered the ends onto the wires. I just pushed the conduit into the hole. Don't know the JS.

Bob C · 02-19-2017, 04:36 PM

I agree with soldering the terminals. If crimping I use crimpers like these
that have the little stake to get a good crimp.

Bob

Steve Plucker · 02-19-2017, 04:57 PM

2. Is the chrome wire conduit supposed to go inside the radiator shell?

Yes it is. With the help of WD-40, it should just slip on in!

Pluck

Tom Wesenberg · 02-19-2017, 05:17 PM

You want to solder those bullet ends. The large part is for the wire insulation to be inserted, then the bare wire should stick just a hair past the pointed end. I always tin the wire, then insert it, heat the bullet and wire while solder is touching the end, and as soon as it's hot enough the solder will flow. Let the solder wick inside until it stops taking it. When you're done, there should be just a hair of wire and solder forming a slight convex on the end. Remember, tinning first helps a lot, as does a touch of flux.

Mitch//pa · 02-19-2017, 05:29 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Def solder.
Crimping will also deform the connectors for a proper fit

SeaSlugs · 02-19-2017, 06:42 PM

agreed, soldering is the best. Crimp connections are ok for temp or emergency use. If you don't want random electrical problems or dim lights solder them.

biggieou · 02-19-2017, 07:03 PM

Thanks everyone!

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captndan · 02-19-2017, 09:25 PM

It's not a matter of do or don't. That style bullet has to be soldered. It was never meant to be crimped.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-19-2017, 10:24 PM

Where did you find your brass bullets?
When I bought some from Little Dearborn, all they could get was the silver ones.

biggieou · 02-19-2017, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Where did you find your brass bullets?
When I bought some from Little Dearborn, all they could get was the silver ones.

Snyder's

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Mike V. Florida · 02-19-2017, 11:57 PM

"Two potentially dumb questions"

I think that by the answers it has been proven that they were not dumb questions at all.

3.6rs · 02-20-2017, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggieou

I have what will most likely be two dumb questions, so I'll lump them together in one post...

There are no dumb questions. Only dumb answers.

biggieou · 02-20-2017, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Plucker

2. Is the chrome wire conduit supposed to go inside the radiator shell?

Yes it is. With the help of WD-40, it should just slip on in!

Pluck

I wonder if I need a different size grommet, it doesn't seem as if it's going to fit.

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Mitch//pa · 02-20-2017, 06:28 AM

Tom's got it

Tom Wesenberg · 02-20-2017, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggieou

I wonder if I need a different size grommet, it doesn't seem as if it's going to fit.

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What year and month is your car?

The Twolite headlamps has 3 wires running through a larger diameter conduit than the earlier fluted headlamps. These came out in early 1929.

Do you have the correct radiator shell and grommets for your headlamps?

biggieou · 02-20-2017, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

What year and month is your car?

The Twolite headlamps has 3 wires running through a larger diameter conduit than the earlier fluted headlamps. These came out in early 1929.

Do you have the correct radiator shell and grommets for your headlamps?

I have an early 28. I only have two wires coming from the car to the lights.

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Tom Wesenberg · 02-20-2017, 06:58 AM

Do you have the correct 1/2" conduits, rather than the later 9/16 conduits?

I find a spray of WD-40 helps to push them through the grommets.

biggieou · 02-20-2017, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Do you have the correct 1/2" conduits, rather than the later 9/16 conduits?

I find a spray of WD-40 helps to push them through the grommets.

I do not know. I'll have to check it out

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Special Coupe Frank · 02-20-2017, 08:08 AM

Others have already said it, but solder for the bullet terminals.

I do not trust crimp terminals anywhere, especially in an automobile, where they are subject to weather and vibration.

Good luck !

02-19-2017, 04:03 PM	#1
biggieou Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 306	Two potentially dumb questions I have what will most likely be two dumb questions, so I'll lump them together in one post.[emoji2] 1. How do I crimp the bullet ends so they are actually tight? I keep trying and they keep pulling out. 2. Is the chrome wire conduit supposed to go inside the radiator shell? Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk __________________ 1931 Model A Victoria 1950 Mercury 8 Member: MAFCA, MARC, Northern Ohio Model A Club www.northernohiomodela.com

02-19-2017, 04:06 PM	#2
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 779	Re: Two potentially dumb questions I soldered the ends onto the wires. I just pushed the conduit into the hole. Don't know the JS.

02-19-2017, 04:57 PM	#4
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Re: Two potentially dumb questions 2. Is the chrome wire conduit supposed to go inside the radiator shell? Yes it is. With the help of WD-40, it should just slip on in! Pluck

02-19-2017, 05:17 PM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Two potentially dumb questions You want to solder those bullet ends. The large part is for the wire insulation to be inserted, then the bare wire should stick just a hair past the pointed end. I always tin the wire, then insert it, heat the bullet and wire while solder is touching the end, and as soon as it's hot enough the solder will flow. Let the solder wick inside until it stops taking it. When you're done, there should be just a hair of wire and solder forming a slight convex on the end. Remember, tinning first helps a lot, as does a touch of flux.

02-19-2017, 05:29 PM	#6
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Two potentially dumb questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Def solder. Crimping will also deform the connectors for a proper fit

02-19-2017, 06:42 PM	#7
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Two potentially dumb questions agreed, soldering is the best. Crimp connections are ok for temp or emergency use. If you don't want random electrical problems or dim lights solder them. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

02-19-2017, 07:03 PM	#8
biggieou Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 306	Re: Two potentially dumb questions Thanks everyone! Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk __________________ 1931 Model A Victoria 1950 Mercury 8 Member: MAFCA, MARC, Northern Ohio Model A Club www.northernohiomodela.com

02-19-2017, 09:25 PM	#9
captndan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Tennessee Posts: 714	Re: Two potentially dumb questions It's not a matter of do or don't. That style bullet has to be soldered. It was never meant to be crimped.

02-19-2017, 10:24 PM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Two potentially dumb questions Where did you find your brass bullets? When I bought some from Little Dearborn, all they could get was the silver ones.

02-19-2017, 11:57 PM	#12
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Two potentially dumb questions "Two potentially dumb questions" I think that by the answers it has been proven that they were not dumb questions at all. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

02-20-2017, 06:28 AM	#15
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Two potentially dumb questions Tom's got it Last edited by Mitch//pa; 02-20-2017 at 07:32 AM.

02-20-2017, 06:58 AM	#18
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Two potentially dumb questions Do you have the correct 1/2" conduits, rather than the later 9/16 conduits? I find a spray of WD-40 helps to push them through the grommets.

02-20-2017, 08:08 AM	#20
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: Two potentially dumb questions Others have already said it, but solder for the bullet terminals. I do not trust crimp terminals anywhere, especially in an automobile, where they are subject to weather and vibration. Good luck !