Lucas Flasher Unit

[twas_brillig]

The flasher unit recently failed on our BJ7, and I ordered a replacement from AH Spares. It wasn't an exact match but buddy Jeff installed it and everything worked. However, looking at the original (maybe from 1962; maybe later, but it had Lucas stamped on the exterior which the replacement did not), it appeared that we could maybe swap the internals around.
And Jeff successfully made the transplant this afternoon, such that we now have the flashing internals (about half the size of the original) installed inside the original casing. Relatively simple, as the retention of the internals is strictly mechanical and you spend a bit of time prying the metal contacts holding the 'base' in, and swap the bits.
A minor touch, but worthwhile, we think.
Doug
PS: don't be lazy/stupid like I have been for years: adjust your mixture. Jeff did so a month back (after years of running rich) and she sure runs a lot better.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Timely post. My flasher failed recently failed--blinkers, both sides, would only flash for a second or two then stop--and I have the 'Lucas' replacement sitting on the shelf. I'm considering doing the transplant, and this offers encouragement. I think, without bothering to measure, that the new flasher can is smaller than the OEM, no?

IIRC, there's three pinch crimps on the edge of the can. Did Jeff just flatten them with, say, pliers? How did he redo the crimps? I can see using a hammer, anvil and suitable drifts to both flatten the crimps and redo them.

I've had to replace a couple voltage regulators on my BJ8, and the repops come with a smooth, generic case with no 'character' whatsoever compared to the OEM Lucas. Fortunately, for once the repops have their fasteners correctly positioned and it's an easy swap.

 

[twas_brillig]

Dang! we tossed the after market 'can', so I can't measure, but visually they were identical external dimensions - the 'bases' were exact matches, so the barrel diameter has to be the same. I was doing other stuff whilst (this is for a British automobile!) Jeff did the transplant, but I'll ask him this afternoon regards which weapons of minor destruction that he used. Doug

 

[twas_brillig]

Chatted with Jeff this evening, and (hopefully I can remember his comments correctly):
- pried the two 'cans' apart with pliers and screwdriver
- no problem removing the phenolic base and attached circuitry from each 'can'
- he slipped an appropriate sized socket inside the original Lucas 'can' and used it to ensure that the 'can' was round
- when he installed the new internals in the old can, he was able to rotate it around to ensure that the contacts lined up properly
- he used a small ball pein hammer and an old anvil to keep the original 'can' round, and to tap the open end down to hold the replacement internals
Hopefully this makes sense!
Doug

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Makes perfect sense. Thank you.

 

[twas_brillig]

I dropped a note to AH Spares, and they may put this in their newsletter. Bob - add to this thread if you do try it. Thanks, Doug