The Ford Barn

biggieou · 04-07-2019, 05:09 PM

I'm rewiring my car and for the most part it has been straight forward. My headlights are another story. There is a mix of JB Weld and household wiring bastardized into something that at one point worked. Obviously I am yanking and replacing everything. My question is what all do I need to get? This is where I stand:

Using my shell, outer ring and glass
Need a new reflector
Need the pigtail or whatever it is called to connect to the new wiring from the light switch.

What all do I need? I know I need the SOCKET, and reflector, but what else?

Anyone have an assembly diagram?

1955cj5 · 04-07-2019, 10:48 PM

This is complicated.....

You need the ferrule...
https://www.brattons.com/headlight-socket-ferrule.html

You need the rubber plugs.

https://www.brattons.com/28-31-headlight-wire-plug.html

And you need the socket assembly

https://www.brattons.com/29-32-headl...et-holder.html

You need the right socket holder

https://www.brattons.com/29-32-headl...et-holder.html

And reflector

https://www.brattons.com/29-32-headl...et-holder.html

These parts are different for different years, so you need to make sure all the parts, including your buckets, will work together.

The early (28) single bulb buckets have smaller holes for the input socket and ferrule...1/2" if I remember right. Later two bulb buckets are 9/16"...

Here is a thread I started.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=169966

I finally ordered the correct used buckets from Steve at Bert's Model A and managed to get everything to fit and work as it's supposed to.

You might call Steve and ask him what is needed..

If you get all the parts right it goes together like butter and works fine...

Good Luck!

Randy

biggieou · 04-08-2019, 03:07 AM

Thanks Randy! Extremely helpful! ! Your good deed for the day is taken care of!

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Synchro909 · 04-08-2019, 04:22 AM

1955, From experience, watch out for those globe holders shorting out as you adjust the focus. I suggest a fuse in the circuit.

Badpuppy · 04-08-2019, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1955cj5

This is complicated.....
You need the ferrule...
https://www.brattons.com/headlight-socket-ferrule.htmlYou need the rubber plugs.
https://www.brattons.com/28-31-headlight-wire-plug.html
And you need the socket assembly
https://www.brattons.com/29-32-headl...et-holder.html
You need the right socket holderhttps://www.brattons.com/29-32-headl...et-holder.html
And reflector
https://www.brattons.com/29-32-headl...et-holder.html
Randy

Pretty good list, but you don't need the ferrule - it's for sealed beams. Conduits and radiator shell grommets also may be needed. Also make sure your buckets are the stainless ones with Ford logo (for 31 Vic).

jrelliott · 04-08-2019, 11:30 AM

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Would suggest that you do not use the connectors at the bottom of the headlight buckets and the end of the conduits. Remove both of these and run the wires directly to the leads from the socket on the headlight socket. I put the bullet connectors on the leads from the headlight socket and connected them to the headlight wiring. Labeled the high and low beam wires(not necessary, but will save you time if you ever go back in). Also ran a ground wire from the inside of the headlight bucket attached to the a screw that connects the bucket to the mounting bracket to frame ground With star washers at both connectors. Again this is not necessary, but you will not have flickering headlights, or shorts at the conduits.

MAG · 04-08-2019, 05:27 PM

Take a close look at Randys first picture.
Note the nose of the wire end is flat. That is the original type connector.
Now look close at the connector on the small blue wire. That is a bullet style connector and is correct for that wire. They were/are used on many wiring harnesses at the Head Light Wire Plastic Separator and is the wrong connector. It sticks up too far from the Plastic Separator and will cause shorting inside the connector. This is the reason many people resort to cutting and splicing and doing whatever they can to make it work. Really no need to do that.

Just a tip: For creating a good Head Light ground. When replacing the Main Wiring Harness on cars WITH Cowl Lights, order the harness for TWO bulb Headlights and the Bucket Internal Harness for TWO Bulb Lights.

1.About halfway between the HeadLight Switch and where the harness separates to go left and right, carefully reach into the cloth covering, locate and cut the 2 yellow/black (park/cowl) wires.

2. About 5 inches from the Head Light Switch carefully reach into the cloth covering and pull out ONE of the yellow/black wires and install a bullet end on it. Connect to Cowl Light Harness as normal.

3. Near the harness where it separates to go left and right, carefully open the cloth covering and pull out both yellow/black wires. Solder a ring-tongue connector on both wires and fasten them under the nut on one of the screws holding the front hood latch in place. Use a star washer to aid connection.
4. On the Bucket Internal Harness cut the wire close to the Park Light Bulb
Socket. Discard the socket. Solder the wire to the Head Light Bulb Adjuster.

5. Connect as normal
This will provide a excellent ground for the headlights and is hardly noticeable.

04-07-2019, 05:09 PM	#1
biggieou Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 292	Headlight Assembly I'm rewiring my car and for the most part it has been straight forward. My headlights are another story. There is a mix of JB Weld and household wiring bastardized into something that at one point worked. Obviously I am yanking and replacing everything. My question is what all do I need to get? This is where I stand: Using my shell, outer ring and glass Need a new reflector Need the pigtail or whatever it is called to connect to the new wiring from the light switch. What all do I need? I know I need the SOCKET, and reflector, but what else? Anyone have an assembly diagram? __________________ 1931 Model A Victoria 1950 Mercury 8 Member: MAFCA, MARC, Northern Ohio Model A Club www.northernohiomodela.com

04-08-2019, 03:07 AM	#3
biggieou Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 292	Re: Headlight Assembly Thanks Randy! Extremely helpful! ! Your good deed for the day is taken care of! 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

04-08-2019, 04:22 AM	#4
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Headlight Assembly 1955, From experience, watch out for those globe holders shorting out as you adjust the focus. I suggest a fuse in the circuit. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

04-08-2019, 11:30 AM	#6
jrelliott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pine, AZ Posts: 794	Re: Headlight Assembly Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Would suggest that you do not use the connectors at the bottom of the headlight buckets and the end of the conduits. Remove both of these and run the wires directly to the leads from the socket on the headlight socket. I put the bullet connectors on the leads from the headlight socket and connected them to the headlight wiring. Labeled the high and low beam wires(not necessary, but will save you time if you ever go back in). Also ran a ground wire from the inside of the headlight bucket attached to the a screw that connects the bucket to the mounting bracket to frame ground With star washers at both connectors. Again this is not necessary, but you will not have flickering headlights, or shorts at the conduits.

04-08-2019, 05:27 PM	#7
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 925	Re: Headlight Assembly Take a close look at Randys first picture. Note the nose of the wire end is flat. That is the original type connector. Now look close at the connector on the small blue wire. That is a bullet style connector and is correct for that wire. They were/are used on many wiring harnesses at the Head Light Wire Plastic Separator and is the wrong connector. It sticks up too far from the Plastic Separator and will cause shorting inside the connector. This is the reason many people resort to cutting and splicing and doing whatever they can to make it work. Really no need to do that. Just a tip: For creating a good Head Light ground. When replacing the Main Wiring Harness on cars WITH Cowl Lights, order the harness for TWO bulb Headlights and the Bucket Internal Harness for TWO Bulb Lights. 1.About halfway between the HeadLight Switch and where the harness separates to go left and right, carefully reach into the cloth covering, locate and cut the 2 yellow/black (park/cowl) wires. 2. About 5 inches from the Head Light Switch carefully reach into the cloth covering and pull out ONE of the yellow/black wires and install a bullet end on it. Connect to Cowl Light Harness as normal. 3. Near the harness where it separates to go left and right, carefully open the cloth covering and pull out both yellow/black wires. Solder a ring-tongue connector on both wires and fasten them under the nut on one of the screws holding the front hood latch in place. Use a star washer to aid connection. 4. On the Bucket Internal Harness cut the wire close to the Park Light Bulb Socket. Discard the socket. Solder the wire to the Head Light Bulb Adjuster. 5. Connect as normal This will provide a excellent ground for the headlights and is hardly noticeable. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!