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PostPosted: September 27, 2020, 8:02 am 
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If only Triumph and MG and all the other Brit manufacturers had used dielectric grease on the connectors when assembling them. There is little wrong with the Lucas electronics IMO. The lack of fuses is maybe an issue when fault does happen, but not until then.

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PostPosted: September 27, 2020, 11:24 am 
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rx7locost wrote:
...maybe an issue when fault does happen, but not until then.

So based on this, I can run uninsulated wiring, because it's not an issue until a fault occurs :P

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PostPosted: September 27, 2020, 12:26 pm 
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Most of the issues I've dealt with over the years on Brit cars have been DPO wiring related or aged bullet connectors. In this case, the wiring harness is only very slightly molested.

So many wiring issues are related to bad grounds and when I take it apart I one of 3 issues; no ground (using the plated pot metal case of light housings), or a ground with an unplated copper ring terminal that is well and truly corroded, or multiple ground wires coming together in a 4 socket bullet connector.

I'm with you Chuck, a liberal application of dielectric grease and most problems wouldn't happen.
That's what I'm thinking the long term solution to my misbehaving circuits is going to be. Disassemble, clean, possibly re-tin, coat with dielectric grease, and re-assemble.

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PostPosted: September 27, 2020, 12:31 pm 
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KB58 wrote:
rx7locost wrote:
...maybe an issue when fault does happen, but not until then.

So based on this, I can run uninsulated wiring, because it's not an issue until a fault occurs :P


Well, a lot of homes were wired with uninsulated wire, back in the day.

My point is, the Lucas devices seem to be just as good as any other 1950's vehicles. I'm sure you understand that the 2 fuses is not the source of the original problem. Sharing a fuse may cause other circuits to stop if the fuse does blow from another circuit on the common fuse. The problem as I see it, is some circuits are not fused at all. And a short on one of those circuits will burn out the wiring quickly. However, it is not the "cause" of the fault. It is a secondary effect.

They say that the SU carbs stand for Seldom Understood. I think that the electrical system is also S.U. A car that was set aside due to carb mishandling, had a lot of beginner mechanics ham-fisting their way along their learning. I will admit that modern automobile electronics has come a long way.

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PostPosted: September 27, 2020, 1:24 pm 
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TooBusy wrote:
Most of the issues I've dealt with over the years on Brit cars have been DPO wiring related or aged bullet connectors. In this case, the wiring harness is only very slightly molested.

So many wiring issues are related to bad grounds and when I take it apart I one of 3 issues; no ground (using the plated pot metal case of light housings), or a ground with an unplated copper ring terminal that is well and truly corroded, or multiple ground wires coming together in a 4 socket bullet connector.

I'm with you Chuck, a liberal application of dielectric grease and most problems wouldn't happen.
That's what I'm thinking the long term solution to my misbehaving circuits is going to be. Disassemble, clean, possibly re-tin, coat with dielectric grease, and re-assemble.


IMO, the female bullet connectors are available and are a lot easier, and more reliable than trying to clean up the inside surfaces. I would simply replace those. You may have other plans.

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PostPosted: September 28, 2020, 8:50 am 
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rx7locost wrote:
TooBusy wrote:
Most of the issues I've dealt with over the years on Brit cars have been DPO wiring related or aged bullet connectors. In this case, the wiring harness is only very slightly molested.

So many wiring issues are related to bad grounds and when I take it apart I one of 3 issues; no ground (using the plated pot metal case of light housings), or a ground with an unplated copper ring terminal that is well and truly corroded, or multiple ground wires coming together in a 4 socket bullet connector.

I'm with you Chuck, a liberal application of dielectric grease and most problems wouldn't happen.
That's what I'm thinking the long term solution to my misbehaving circuits is going to be. Disassemble, clean, possibly re-tin, coat with dielectric grease, and re-assemble.


IMO, the female bullet connectors are available and are a lot easier, and more reliable than trying to clean up the inside surfaces. I would simply replace those. You may have other plans.


That may be the simplest route. I'll do some online searching and see if I can lay hands on a full set fairly quickly. I've noticed a lot of Spit and MGB bits have been backordered. I don't know if that's COVID related or more likely tied to dwindling market demand.

As for cleaning bits I have a nice magic acid blend solution that works well. It does require neutralizing and very thorough drying afterwards. :wink:

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OOPS I did it again
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Blood Sweat and Beers
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PostPosted: October 29, 2020, 5:10 pm 
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Got electrical sorted
Drove around the neighborhood and pissed off the neighbors with open header

Posted on FB Marketplace and sold in less than a week for asking price.
Guy is picking it up Sunday.

Now I have space i the garage to run the plasma and work on the 7, then start blowing apart the Meerkat.

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OOPS I did it again
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Blood Sweat and Beers
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PostPosted: October 29, 2020, 6:47 pm 
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WoW! Congratulations on the sale.

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PostPosted: October 29, 2020, 7:37 pm 
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rx7locost wrote:
WoW! Congratulations on the sale.


Sooner than I originally planned and for less money. But, I didn't put the additional investment of time and money into it either.

Going to a good home. Buyer is Sec. of the British Car Club near Wilmington NC. He just sold his Mini and wanted something else.

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OOPS I did it again
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PostPosted: November 12, 2020, 5:54 pm 
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I got tossed the keys to a 72 Spit years ago.
Short drive, but it was a blast of a little car. Got caught off guard not having assist brakes, nearly rolled into traffic coming down a downhill driveway :shock:

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