Re: Cadmium Plating (as it relates to light switches) and other minutia

Posted by Marco on May 18, 1998 at 21:37:38

In Reply to: Cadmium Plating (as it relates to light switches) and other minutia
posted by Gordon Biggar on May 16, 1998 at 21:41:50

Gordon,
I had my light switch plated as an assembly as I'd seen done before and had no problems. I had intended to polish the three contacts down to brass with my Dremel but never got around to it.My lights are so bright (even with original bulbs) that I may never get around to it!
As with Rick, I've also heard that two rear lamps were required by some states but have been unable to confirm and have my doubts.Ford didn't provide any parts to US dealers designed for right hand rear lamps.The bulletin mentioned by Steve is the last bulletin of 1931 and represents a "sales opportunity" like many others Ford suggested on a regular basis.The dealer was expected to install left lamp and support bracket on the right side, and modify a piece of wiring designed for the drop floor Deluxe Delivery.If Ford would offer a right side rear lamp from the factory they certainly would have provided wiring that didn't require soldering instead of using wiring that was specially made for a model of which only 79 units were produced.The original right side brackets occasionally found at swap meets are from right hand drive export models (usually made in Canada) which had only the right lamp.Those brackets were NOT available in the US.I make no recommendations on the subject for modern use, just wanting to explain how it was during the production years.
I don't know of any way to plate the carb pins without removal other than the hand plating technique which uses a cadmium wand with a woven cotton sock over it. The wand is dipped in electrolite and rubbed over the pin using about 10 volts. the cadmium works through the sock.I have a special transformer and associated supplies I've used with success for the last fifteen years.
If your Sport Coupe is an early '30, the original wiring would have brass contacts at the headlamp connectors that are only 5/16" long and use a plug 5/8" long instead of 3/8" (crimped) and 9/16" resp.The original harness braiding had no "fuzz" in the thread, and was quite crisp in appearance.There were two sources of original wiring.It appears from my research that the first was Ford itself which made the wiring with double spiral tracers on the headlamp leads, and solid black braiding.They also had flag type terminals at the stoplight switch.The second was Essex Wire Co., that was a new company that leased space in the old Highland park plant in early 1930 and produced the wiring with checkered tracers to the headlamps.It had a single thread tan or off-white tracer woven in the braiding.The terminals on the brake switch leads were the straight type with rubber insulators.I attempted to give a good description (with my photos) in area 2 of the Standards.If you have any specific questions remaining, e-mail me.Another thing to look for is many early replacements didn't have the double yellow lead (braided) to the generator.
I don't know of a suitable coating for the fuel filter that would last or look appropriate.If the cleaning process created to much sheen, you might try rubbing the surface with metal prep (special phosphoric acid solution).It only takes a few seconds to a minute then rinse thoroughly.It will usually tone zinc down to a more natural looking sheen.
I sure hope this helps!!!
Marco

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