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Cleaning Lucar Connectors

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1965_MGB

1965_MGB

Jedi Warrior
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Tonight, I decided to start cleaning out all the Lucar connectors in the boot and under the bonnet (well, the easy to get to ones). I vaguely recall doing this about twenty years ago, and not doing a very good job of it.

Anyway, the stainless brushes I got from Gerry at GEM worked out great. I would make one suggestion to those who are embarking on this task. Get a can or two of electrical contact cleaner. It makes pulling the wires and the years of accumulated junk out of the connectors much easier. It may even keep you from pulling an end off the wire like I did.

Hopefully this will help some others out there from killing their thumbs.
 
Don't forget the dielectric grease on reassembly!
 
Hey, are you following me around? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
Find any brittle ones yet?

CRC 2-26 works as a good lube.

.22 cal. "bottle brushes" work well, too.
 
I have a can of CRC electrical parts cleaner. I imagine I got it years ago. It made all the difference in the work with the connectors behind the grille.

Tomorrow I start on the connectors further up the engine room. Then I guess it's under the dash I go. I think I'll pick up some more dielectric grease tomorrow.

I tried the .223 bore brush, but the little ones I got from GEM are not as hard to push through the connectors.
 
Hi all, anyone getting ready to tackle this job should look into a set of cleaning brushes for welding tips, cleans out the tube connector great, soft wire brushes on the Dremel gets the bullets to sparkle and some de-electric grease when putting it back together. You now have a chance your lights will work, if you sanded under all the grounds.

Wayne
 
1965_MGB said:
Hey, are you following me around? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
Click to expand...

Somebody's gotta do it! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

(At least I said dielectric grease...folks would talk if I was talkin' Vaseline!) /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
Too true!
 
DrEntropy said:
Find any brittle ones yet?

CRC 2-26 works as a good lube.

.22 cal. "bottle brushes" work well, too.
Click to expand...

I had that problem Doc, brittle connectors I mean. I ordered a bunch of new connectors, double and single from Moss and replaced them all. Didn't cost that much either. Just a pain to do.

Oh yeah, To unplug the wires that were stuck, I split the rubber covering and pried open the connectors. It saved the bullet ends from being pulled off the wires.
 
I was going to buy some new connectors, but every time I find an LBC in the junkyard, I usually fill my pockets with the connectors.

I figure when I pony up for a new wiring harness, I will replace all the connectors, but that may be a ways off since we are looking to move (hopefully) this summer.

I guess I am just cheap. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
 
The problem with old connectors is their very brittle due to age and can unknowingly crack when reinserting the bullet connector. Their about the cheapest thing to replace on the car, thus helping to eliminate a breakdown at the most inconvenient time.
scared0001.gif
Mr. Lucas had this feature built in. Electrical break downs that is.
evilgrin0013.gif
 
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