31 Coupe headlight conduit connector?

jax55

jax55

Senior Member
Need some help from the experts.
I had to rewire my coupe, I put in a new harness and bell on the end of the column. The were no conduits, so I bought some to make it look better.
There is nothing coming out of the bucket to attach the conduit to. There is something inside where the wires come into the bucket, but I don't see how these will help.
What do I need to do/ buy to hook up the conduit(s)?
As always thanks for your help!!!
 
sounds like you need these headlight sockets...
 

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It's sounding like you don't have an original socket set/harness INSIDE your headlights.

Originals have a special receptacle/socket that passes through the wall of the headlight shell. This receptacle is made to take on the conduit, also take on a plastic plug which allows the bullet-ended wiring harness wires to connect to the receptacle.

You may have an "aftermarket" headlight socket setup which is minus this most essential part. The aftermarket sockets I used had only places to "land" the wires (with funny little screws to hold the wires) but no pass-through receptacle. Instead I used a "replacement" pass-through ferrule which is sold usually for those wishing to upgrade to sealed beam headlighs. Seen at http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/3836 (one source - there are many) and pictured below.

A13075SPHOTO-4598.jpg


If you can, you should take pix of what you have so that we can get closer to identifying your need?

The headlight socket thing is pretty well documented in the literature, but until you actually see how it goes together, it can be a difficult thing to picture in one's mind. I can understand your confusion.

Joe K
 
Thanks guys. In an effort to not be wordy, I left some things out...sorry!
Mitch, I ordered the headlight sockets yesterday. By the way I lived in K of P and Royersford there in Pa until last year... didn't have the A then or we might have met.
Joe, I also ordered the pass through ferrule yesterday as well.
The headlight buckets have the Ford logo and "2 bulb" stamped in them, and the lenses are Ford as well.
From the outside of the bucket, all you can see is a hole where the wires go into the bucket, nothing extending out for the conduit to attach to. Inside the bucket where the wires come through, there is what appears to be a place for the rubber/ plastic wire separator to sit.
Mike. the problem I have is there is nothing to screw the conduit ferrule to coming out of the headlight bucket.
The wiring was so hard and brittle that the insulation has been cracking and falling off, then grounding to the light socket.
One more question: once I get the new headlight sockets, do the bullet connectors on the wiring harness just plug into it? I can't tell from the pictures or breakdowns in the catalogs. Thanks
 
The Service Bulletins probably have the best pix of the assembly. Instead, take a look at http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/uploads/MODELAHEADLIGHT-10354.pdf

Note at the lower right, you see the plastic plug A-14584-B or AR and the "Loose" ferrule A-13075-S which you won't use. The third connector/receptable of the set of three on the socket assembly goes in the hole. They're showing it about as it appears in real life. Little prongs catch it and keep it from falling "through" the hole. About 3/8" of it ends up on the outside of the headlight shell and this 3/8" includes the bayonet socket to hold the conduit retainer ring. Between (and inside) the connector/receptable and held in place by the conduit retainer ring goes the plastic plug.

The wire/bullet ends are seated into the grooves in the plug. The plastic plug keeps the separate circuits separate - but allow the bullet ends to touch their respective contacts in the connector. There should be three wires. Each has it's own spot in the plug - although you can trace the wiring back and figure out which one goes where. I think the plugs are marked telling the color code to the wiring harness and all you have to do is match.

Try to catch yourself a copy of the Service Bulletins. I've looked for a couple of the pix on the 'net (its amazing what is out there) but these are not there that I've seen.

Joe K
 
I'm sorry but my car came the bullet ends and does not use the connector. With all the problems I have read, I fear to revert back to original style.

Vinyl-Insulated%20Bullet.jpg
 
As I alluded, my car was done first with "aftermarket" sockets. Screw into the reflectors and are held there by a thin hex nut. Little holes you put wires into and then tighten a small teeny screw to clamp it in place. Then bring the wires out through the ferrule A-13075-S which is a gutted out connector/receptacle from the usual headlight socket setup.

I then connected the three wires to the three bullet-ended harness wires by removing the bullets, and soldering the wires together. Then used shrink tubing to make the three circuits independent and to not short out against the conduit. The connections ended up somewhere in the conduit - I think I had some excess wire doubled up in the radiator shell area just to hide it.

While I was at it I ran ANOTHER (4th) wire from the main light socket BACK alongside the other three wires and grounded that to the car frame. Grounding is VERY much an issue with a restored headlight setup. All that new paint interferes with proper grounding. With 4 wires in the conduit it was a little tight - the 4th ground wire doesn't have to be insulated, of course.

Of course the solder and shrink tubing made removal of the headlights a job for a pair of electricians dykes - but they also never failed in service. Ever.

Now I'm attempting to restore the headlights to the "Type H" version they were originally. Including the plugs. Finding a route for a separate ground wire may be a challenge.

Joe K
 
Off subject, slightly, BUT, Vermin, my Early '29 Coupe has conduits that are TWICE as long as usual! They "drape" down nicely inside the shell, BUT look quite NICE! Anyone seen those?
Bill W.
 
Thanks JoeK, that sums it up and answers my questions. I also looked online for pics to help me out..LOTS of pics but nothing that showed what I needed.
I have the service bulletins book, but it is an hour away with the car .
Waiting for the parts to arrive then off we go!
I am thinking of adding the fourth ground wire just to be sure... I know good grounds are very important. Thanks everyone!
 
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