B headlight disassembly.....
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=134217
Printed Date: 06 Nov 2025 at 11:32am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: B headlight disassembly.....
Posted By: George Andreasen
Subject: B headlight disassembly.....
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 3:10pm
|
Morning everyone! Due to some health issues, I haven't been on here for quite a long while now. I'm finally back "in the pink" enough to get back to my B restoration and have a question about the headlights. Evidently the factory method of supplying a ground to the lamps is by running an itty bitty screw through the shell edge to touch the reflector. I can't think of a more "iffy" grounding system either....that little point is just asking for corrosion and and a high resistance connection. I decided that a better way would be to take the mounting post off the shell, clean the metal and place a ring terminal between the shell and the mounting post inside the shell. A short piece of wire from the terminal would then be soldered to the socket edge, providing a good path to ground throughout the entire shell. Problem: That nut against the shell was installed back in 1941 and doesn't want to move so I can remove the post. I'm just about ready to heat the nut with an oxy acetylene torch to remove it....unless someone has a better way. Any ideas out there? |
Replies:
Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 4:17pm
|
Glad you are feeling better! Have you tried any of the penetrating rust solvents? Not sure how much heat the shell can take......
------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |
Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 4:40pm
|
I wouldn't apply to much heat to that shell George as Dave mentioned. You could solder a ground wire to the side of the socket, and bring the wire out the stem with the lead wire and make your ground at the grill shell. This would give you a good ground and avoid doing any harm to the Headlight shell. HTH Steve@B&B ------------- 39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 4:52pm
|
Glad your feeling better. Working on a Allis is good therapy too. I agree that some of the grounding systems were good rolling of the assembly line but not long after that. Like you I try to improve the grounds where ever possible. Any pictures? I don't have this in my head. Some thoughts, I like to use electrolysis, a little controlled heat, penetrating fluids, vice grips, last resort would be to carefully cut it off with a cut off wheel or delicately with a dremel tool ?? Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: George Andreasen
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 5:18pm
|
Thanks for the replies everyone. After thinking about it for awhile (always a good strategy) I think I'll go with two wires through the mounting post instead. The ground wire will go under any handy bolt near the radiator. I might have to enlarge the mounting post hole just a bit to accommodate them, but I think you're right........heating that nut so close to the shell might do more damage than good! Thanks again! 
|
Posted By: Scott B
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 5:43pm
------------- D17 Series 1 Allis B- 1939 Allis B- 1945 |
George Andreasen wrote:Posted By: Dan73
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 5:58pm
| I like the 2 wire system. I try to bring them back to something very close to the battery ground ideally I add a ground block. After spending a few hours chasing bad grounds you sort of decide a little extra copper is not so expensive after all. |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 24 Jan 2017 at 8:31pm
|
George, it's refreshing to see you on here again!! Didn't know you weren't up to snuff, but am glad you are now. I agree, you should do it your way.......I have and it works quite well. I don't care what you do, or what happens, the ground is the first thing to go. A real PITA and hard to track down. Far easier to just start over and make your own. ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |