VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1931 1932 electrolock wire replacement.

I am installing a new wire in a 1931 electrolock, but I disassembled it prior to medical issues, so have forgotten the order that the stud and wire is assembled into the distributor end of the cable. I have the diagram from the Standard Auto electricians manual showing all parts required for the connection to the distributor, but I am unsure about the wire ending into the cable prior to the stud being installed in the end of the cable. I have the wire installed, then there is a little flat washer and a spring, plus 2 fibre - felt washers. Does the spring install over the wire, and then the little flat washer, plus solder. and then where do the fibre and felt washer go.
Thanks Jack.

The center wire with terminal button is installed first. Then the copper spring with copper gauze. Next is the stud with "star" disc, then an insulator. It is all held in place by the brass "nut". You should have the other pieces on your diagram.

Thank you Chipper.

On the terminal stud, between the "star" disc and the larger insulating washer is also a small metal washer.

Thanks, the stud still had the star washer and flat washer installed on it. The distributor end is re-assembled now, just the ignition switch end to go.

Don’t let the electrolock cable touch the battery cable at the starter switch. It’s real bad news for your electrolock cable. Lots of smoke and sparks.

The starter switch terminal should be insulated from the electrolock cable to keep the cable from shorting out against the starter switch terminal.

Also, when installing the electrolock the battery should always be disconnected.

Another item that is very close to the starter terminal is the spark advance cable. I pass mine through a 12" long piece of fabric wire loom as added protection from having it touch the starter terminal. It is quite spectacular when it does! I know.

All the Best, Chip

Me too. I now have a piece of rubber hose on mine.
Sid

1931 Chevrolets have a rubber cover that fits over the stud where the battery cable attaches to the starter switch. Many years ago they were reproduced. Also several of my '30-'31s had the fabric loom on the spark cable. Don't have a '29 so can't comment on them. A few also had fabric loom on the electrolock cable. Not sure when the production change was made. Maybe someone has documentation. The '32 models have an aluminum cover that protects the starter terminal stud. They also have been reproduced.

The rubber and aluminum covers would be a good project for someone to provide again.

Battery post rubber boots are available on the Internet. I have found that some will work when installed on the 1929-32 starter switch terminals.

The post covers that I have found are not the same as the originals. They might be a replacement and provide some protection but are not like those originally installed by Chevrolet.

It would be nice if they were the same as original but more important that they provide the protection needed.

The important thing here is to protect the electrolock cable and the spark cable from touching the starter switch terminal. The rubber boots available on the Internet are modern boots, however, some of them (depending upon their dimensions and configurations) will work on the 1929-32 starter switch terminals.

Many of the "restored" 1929-32 Chevrolets that I have seen in the past are lacking in starter switch terminal protection.

I used a large diameter shrink tube in red.

I used the fabric loom on the spark advance cable like Chip did. I will probably also do the same to the electrolock cable. I wrapped the starter terminal with electrical tape as a temporary precaution until I find a better cover.

there was a post that i did on Electrolock Protection - Shorting

did a testing of various Boots to cover the starter connector terminal. lots of pictures and info. I plan to go with 5737B (b=black) as you can get it in Red as well, 5737R, all made by Remy. plan to use 5724B&R respectively on the battery terminals for the battery ends.