Solenoid to starter cable on my 57

[bnw]

What gauge cable? What color cable?

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha BNW,

Here is some information from the TRA Judging Guide 2004:

"Battery Cables (Battery Leads or Engine Leads). Three variations are listed in the parts manual corresponding to three changes to the wiring harness; no further details. Original cables are characterized by lead caps that attach to
the battery posts. Through the center of the lead caps, a sheet metal screw is turned into the top of the posts. The lead cap connectors provide marginal contact with the posts and some dealers reportedly replaced these with conventional clamp connectors.
* Earth Lead (ground)-- This is a round, woven cable. No sheathing.
* Positive (Solenoid) Lead -- This cable is sheathed; a rubber boot appears on the solenoid connection

Starter Motor, Solenoid. The same solenoid is fitted to all models. The solenoid fitted to TR4s is interchangeable functionally. The TR2/3/3A/3B solenoid should be fitted; it is cylindrical with rubber button for underhood startup. The starter change at TS50001 is the only change. The starter motor casing is painted matte black. Solenoid is
unpainted."

My guess is that the cables from battery to solenoid and solenoid to starter are sheathed in black. Looking at some under hood photos of Don Elliott's very original TR3As, confirms they are black.

I would suspect that the relatively short cable are about the equivalent of about 4 AWG, but a larger diameter cable might be a better choice electrically.

 

[TR3driver]

Interesting about the TRA guidelines. The cable is negative, not positive (remember these cars were originally positive ground so the 'hot' cable is negative). And I am reasonably certain there was no rubber boot fitted over the connection to the solenoid. It only covered the joint between the wire terminal and the wire.

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Here is a photo of one of Don's cars.

 

[TR3driver]

Here's another one, where you can see what I was talking about. The sleeve covers the wire/terminal joint, but not the solenoid terminal.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Here is some information from the TRA Judging Guide 2004:

"...Starter Motor, Solenoid. The same solenoid is fitted to all models. The solenoid fitted to TR4s is interchangeable functionally. The TR2/3/3A/3B solenoid should be fitted; it is cylindrical with rubber button for underhood startup. The starter change at TS50001 is the only change. The starter motor casing is painted matte black. Solenoid is
unpainted."

I'm surprised that TRA fails to note an important detail change. While all the cars in the range did use similar appearing solenoids, the earlier ones had the mounting feet integrally cast with the rest of the body, while the later ones (from about 1959-60) had a separate sheet metal piece similar to that used on coils to hold the solenoid in place. Yes, I'll grant you that they are interchangeable, and the earlier part number supersedes to later part numbers. Still.... :wink:

 

[AlWallace]

Here is another solenoid shot. The reason I have the photos is because of the second photo!! This end was at the starter. I have since replaced this cable with a black pvc coated 4 awg wire.

Al