Stop Lights 1940 Ford

[deuce_roadster]

Mike, if the alligator clip got hot, I would suspect a short somewhere going toward the back of the car. I would inspect the sockets to make sure the hot lead for the bulb hasn't moved over if the wire is fine. Did you say you had tail lights but no brake lights? If the tial lights work the grounding is good. I mostly suspect the wire between the brake switch and the back has a short somewhere, maybe near the exhaust.
Let us know what you find.