1930artdeco
Well-known member
What is better, the original 90* elbow connectors that Ford used on the back of the gauges or should I use a ring under the speed nut?
Mike
Mike
guage wiring connectors
- Thread starter 1930artdeco
- Start date
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
Ford used ring-tongue terminals held on to the back of the guages with threaded nut and star-washer up through 1956. In '57, they switched to molded-on 90 degree push-on terminals. The push-on terminals are easier and faster to remove/install.
It is important to install 90 degree terminals by placing the terminal as perfectly perpendicular to the back of the guage as possible to prevent spreading of the metal core of the terminal. In the same way, they should be removed by pulling the terminal off the stud as perfectly perpendicular to the back of the guage for the same reason.
If the thermoplastic coating over the terminal becomes cracked, the terminal should be replaced (likely with a ring-tongue terminal).
The older ring-tongue terminal installations are much more time-consuming and require flexibility and agility working under the dash with a 3/8" nut-driver. Even so, both guages can be connected in less than 5 minutes, so I have never griped about the extra time it took to hook up my guages.
If studs on the back of your guages are somewhat corroded, I suggest wire-brushing to bare metal and coating the studs with hi-dielectric silicone compound to prevent future corrosion and maintain good electrical continuity.
The change to the push-on type was done to save time during installation at the factory (to the tune of a few seconds per terminal). Probably saved a fortune in labor on the assembly line, but individually now, why should we care so much about saving a few seconds. Both ways are pretty easy and not terribly time consuming.
One installation is as good as the other if terminals and studs are in good condition.
It is important to install 90 degree terminals by placing the terminal as perfectly perpendicular to the back of the guage as possible to prevent spreading of the metal core of the terminal. In the same way, they should be removed by pulling the terminal off the stud as perfectly perpendicular to the back of the guage for the same reason.
If the thermoplastic coating over the terminal becomes cracked, the terminal should be replaced (likely with a ring-tongue terminal).
The older ring-tongue terminal installations are much more time-consuming and require flexibility and agility working under the dash with a 3/8" nut-driver. Even so, both guages can be connected in less than 5 minutes, so I have never griped about the extra time it took to hook up my guages.
If studs on the back of your guages are somewhat corroded, I suggest wire-brushing to bare metal and coating the studs with hi-dielectric silicone compound to prevent future corrosion and maintain good electrical continuity.
The change to the push-on type was done to save time during installation at the factory (to the tune of a few seconds per terminal). Probably saved a fortune in labor on the assembly line, but individually now, why should we care so much about saving a few seconds. Both ways are pretty easy and not terribly time consuming.
One installation is as good as the other if terminals and studs are in good condition.
1930artdeco
Well-known member
Great, the studs are free of corrosion so I will strip and solder the elbows onto the new wires.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike