1971 rear console lenses replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
1971 rear console lenses replacement
I'm changing out the rear console lenses for the fiber optics. It looks like the wires are held in with some place had epoxy of some sort. What are people using to hold the wires in the console after it's changed? I didn't know if you can use any epoxy or any special thing I should know about before changing mine. My only reason for changing them is the lenses on the console are pretty dirty and would like to see the lights better.
Thanks so much..
Thanks so much..
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
I replaced the front and rear console fiber optic lenses on my 69 recently and the fiber optic ends just slide in and are a mild press fit. There is no glue or epoxy holding them. Just stick the ends in the plastic holes and that's it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Lenses
I'm changing out the rear console lenses for the fiber optics. It looks like the wires are held in with some place had epoxy of some sort. What are people using to hold the wires in the console after it's changed? I didn't know if you can use any epoxy or any special thing I should know about before changing mine. My only reason for changing them is the lenses on the console are pretty dirty and would like to see the lights better.
Thanks so much..
Thanks so much..
Bill
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
That's good to know. They must have replaced the console lenses in mine at one time and used epoxy to hold them in. I'll give it a try in a couple days when it gets above freezing again..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
I'm pretty sure I can get the lenses out without breaking them. I might give it a try and give them a good cleaning but already bought a replacement. I'm not sure I can get them clean enough. It's always worth a try though..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 63,
I think you asked me about this a while back, but I don't remember replying.
I believe CG is correct, there isn't any sealer on the connectors.
The ferrule on each cable slips into a tube on the lens.
I'm still using my original lens and 2 of the tubes have a small piece broken out them. You can see the tube on the left has a missing piece.
I put a small piece of white tape on each of those tubes to make sure the cable/ferrule stayed tightly in place.
When you put the cables in the tubes make sure you get the right and left in the right locations.
If you want to add some sealer I think I'd use a LITTLE clear RTV.
I also agree with Bill that trying to clean the original lens is a good idea.
Regards,
Alan
I think you asked me about this a while back, but I don't remember replying.
I believe CG is correct, there isn't any sealer on the connectors.
The ferrule on each cable slips into a tube on the lens.
I'm still using my original lens and 2 of the tubes have a small piece broken out them. You can see the tube on the left has a missing piece.
I put a small piece of white tape on each of those tubes to make sure the cable/ferrule stayed tightly in place.
When you put the cables in the tubes make sure you get the right and left in the right locations.
If you want to add some sealer I think I'd use a LITTLE clear RTV.
I also agree with Bill that trying to clean the original lens is a good idea.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 9, 2014 at 09:57 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
Hi Alan,
I can't actually see the ferrules on the end of my wires because of the epoxy. I'll have to carefully try and take them out and see why they may have used epoxy to hold them in. It's good to know that they shouldn't need anything to hold them in. I might used the clear RTV idea if they do need the extra support holding them in..
I love the pictures, they always are a big help..
I can't actually see the ferrules on the end of my wires because of the epoxy. I'll have to carefully try and take them out and see why they may have used epoxy to hold them in. It's good to know that they shouldn't need anything to hold them in. I might used the clear RTV idea if they do need the extra support holding them in..
I love the pictures, they always are a big help..
Hi 63,
I think you asked me about this a while back, but I don't remember replying.
I believe CG is correct, there isn't any sealer on the connectors.
The ferrule on each cable slips into a tube on the lens.
I'm still using my original lens and 2 of the tubes have a small piece broken out them. You can see the tube on the left has a missing piece.
I put a small piece of white tape on each of those tubes to make sure the cable/ferrule stayed tightly in place.
When you put the cables in the tubes make sure you get the right and left in the right locations.
If you want to add some sealer I think I'd use a LITTLE clear RTV.
I also agree with Bill that trying to clean the original lens is a good idea.
Regards,
Alan
I think you asked me about this a while back, but I don't remember replying.
I believe CG is correct, there isn't any sealer on the connectors.
The ferrule on each cable slips into a tube on the lens.
I'm still using my original lens and 2 of the tubes have a small piece broken out them. You can see the tube on the left has a missing piece.
I put a small piece of white tape on each of those tubes to make sure the cable/ferrule stayed tightly in place.
When you put the cables in the tubes make sure you get the right and left in the right locations.
If you want to add some sealer I think I'd use a LITTLE clear RTV.
I also agree with Bill that trying to clean the original lens is a good idea.
Regards,
Alan
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mike,
I agree, nice idea!
What tubing did you use?
The 3 'pipes' on the lens housing are SO much larger than the f.o. cable that it seems like the cable/ferrule could still slip back out of the 'pipe' into the tubing.
Regards,
Alan
I agree, nice idea!
What tubing did you use?
The 3 'pipes' on the lens housing are SO much larger than the f.o. cable that it seems like the cable/ferrule could still slip back out of the 'pipe' into the tubing.
Regards,
Alan
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
People glued them in because they would remove the console and streching the fiber optic cables by any amount breakes the clear plastic tubes coming off the lens. Look closely at the one on the left in Alan's pic and you can see one there with a piece missing. They are really easy to break and I hope you don't damage the fiber optics trying to get them out of the lens if someone epoxied them... They are easy to fix if you do damage an end as long as you have the little copper ferules but it's best not to go there if you don't have to. Just be careful getting them out of the old lens. The install is the easy part!
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Mar 9, 2014 at 01:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
Well it took a little work but I finally can say I got all the fiber optics working. I did have to replace the console fiber optic lenses. When I started to unscrew the old one, it fell apart in 3 pieces. I also had one of the wires break off right at the ferrule. I was able to use a razor blade to cut the end nice and square and attach a new ferrule. I was able to plug all 3 in with no problem and they are pretty tight so I didn't use an sealant.
I guess I'm off to the next project on the car until all the rechromed parts come back in about a month..
Thanks so much for every ones help..
I guess I'm off to the next project on the car until all the rechromed parts come back in about a month..
Thanks so much for every ones help..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi 63v,
That's a very nice victory.
Getting the fiber optics working reliably is not easy.
When I check my lights I always say a prayer that the fiber optics will work too!
Well Done!
Regards,
Alan
That's a very nice victory.
Getting the fiber optics working reliably is not easy.
When I check my lights I always say a prayer that the fiber optics will work too!
Well Done!
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
For what it is worth:
I try at all cost to use the original rear fiber optic lens. The main reason is that I have to go through so many reproductions due to they are made poorly. The problem is in the one port that is coming off at an angle. It is usually incorrect and the light can not bend correctly due to some imperfection in the molded plastic.
But if it is like Alan's...where a small section has snapped off. I take piece of heat-shrink tuning. Put the tips of a small pair of needle nose pliers in the tubing and slightly stretch it out so it will fit onto the clear plastic end of the fiber optic lens...this way the rest of the heat shrink tubing will shrink onto the fiber optic cable and hold it. Install the heat shrink tubing and heat it (obviously). The heat shrink can be cut and removed if needed in the future.
DUB
I try at all cost to use the original rear fiber optic lens. The main reason is that I have to go through so many reproductions due to they are made poorly. The problem is in the one port that is coming off at an angle. It is usually incorrect and the light can not bend correctly due to some imperfection in the molded plastic.
But if it is like Alan's...where a small section has snapped off. I take piece of heat-shrink tuning. Put the tips of a small pair of needle nose pliers in the tubing and slightly stretch it out so it will fit onto the clear plastic end of the fiber optic lens...this way the rest of the heat shrink tubing will shrink onto the fiber optic cable and hold it. Install the heat shrink tubing and heat it (obviously). The heat shrink can be cut and removed if needed in the future.
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 475
Likes: 3
From: Windham NH
I did notice that my left lens isn't as bright as my right one. That must be because it's a replacement. I wish I had the option of keeping the original one but that wasn't an option. I guess i'll have to keep an eye open for an original one sometime..
It is a great feeling about getting the fiber optics working. Like you said, I hope they keep working..
It is a great feeling about getting the fiber optics working. Like you said, I hope they keep working..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Fiber optics
I did notice that my left lens isn't as bright as my right one. That must be because it's a replacement. I wish I had the option of keeping the original one but that wasn't an option. I guess i'll have to keep an eye open for an original one sometime..
It is a great feeling about getting the fiber optics working. Like you said, I hope they keep working..
It is a great feeling about getting the fiber optics working. Like you said, I hope they keep working..
Enjoy!
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Another great idea!
For what it is worth:
I try at all cost to use the original rear fiber optic lens. The main reason is that I have to go through so many reproductions due to they are made poorly. The problem is in the one port that is coming off at an angle. It is usually incorrect and the light can not bend correctly due to some imperfection in the molded plastic.
But if it is like Alan's...where a small section has snapped off. I take piece of heat-shrink tuning. Put the tips of a small pair of needle nose pliers in the tubing and slightly stretch it out so it will fit onto the clear plastic end of the fiber optic lens...this way the rest of the heat shrink tubing will shrink onto the fiber optic cable and hold it. Install the heat shrink tubing and heat it (obviously). The heat shrink can be cut and removed if needed in the future.
DUB
I try at all cost to use the original rear fiber optic lens. The main reason is that I have to go through so many reproductions due to they are made poorly. The problem is in the one port that is coming off at an angle. It is usually incorrect and the light can not bend correctly due to some imperfection in the molded plastic.
But if it is like Alan's...where a small section has snapped off. I take piece of heat-shrink tuning. Put the tips of a small pair of needle nose pliers in the tubing and slightly stretch it out so it will fit onto the clear plastic end of the fiber optic lens...this way the rest of the heat shrink tubing will shrink onto the fiber optic cable and hold it. Install the heat shrink tubing and heat it (obviously). The heat shrink can be cut and removed if needed in the future.
DUB
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
Lights
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Bill,
You're right!
It's even a bit scary for the Operations part of Flight Judging…. and there's not QUITE as much at stake.
Regards,
Alan
Maybe I should go down one more time and check them this evening?!?!?
You're right!
It's even a bit scary for the Operations part of Flight Judging…. and there's not QUITE as much at stake.
Regards,
Alan
Maybe I should go down one more time and check them this evening?!?!?