Cleaning bulkhead connectors
Re: Replacing with new.
That depends on condition etc.
The replacement harness by M&H is OK, but my experience has been that failures will show up after a while. Nothing major, just little things that result in poorer connections.
Save the original harness if you do replace. The replacement harness I bought uses some Packard 56 female terminals where Chrysler/Packard 58 originally were used. Works OK, but if/when you go to replace with the Chrysler type there's sometimes a problem. The plastic connector housings of one do not fit the other perfectly. If the terminal is loose in the connector, then the pushing on the connector does not mean a good connection by the terminals has been achieved.
Here's the field terminal of the Year One/M&H harness that was on my 67 Barracuda for 15 years or so.
Three things to observe:
1. Packard 56 type terminal (compare with original Chrysler/58 style shown in previous post)
2. Permanent set to the leaf spring portion. In this respect the Chrysler Packard 58 type might be slightly better design.
3. Second crimp no longer holding insulation (maybe it never did but it should have been).
Replacing terminals:
If there is a good reason, such as crimp is bad or the wires fraying, OK. But it does shorten the wire and there's not a lot of slack on most wires at the bulkheads. I wouldn't do it if just a cleaning is needed.
When replacing the male terminals, it seems hard to find exact replacements. There doesnt seem to be a Chrysler or Packard 58 version, just Packard 56. But amongst those sold for as that, they are not all the same.
Some have the tail 'wings' and some do not.
This one does not:
This one does:
A critical distance might be from the barb to the 'wings'.
Or it may be from the shoulder to the barb that holds it in place.
Neither of these terminals looks to be the same overall length as the originals in either my car or my Jeep (which uses mostly Packard 56). Photo is a terminal from an AMC/Jeep connector next to the same two shown above.
Don't know if that's important, but something else to try to look for when buying new.
Re: Replacing with new.
That depends on condition etc.
The replacement harness by M&H is OK, but my experience has been that failures will show up after a while. Nothing major, just little things that result in poorer connections.
Save the original harness if you do replace. The replacement harness I bought uses some Packard 56 female terminals where Chrysler/Packard 58 originally were used. Works OK, but if/when you go to replace with the Chrysler type there's sometimes a problem. The plastic connector housings of one do not fit the other perfectly. If the terminal is loose in the connector, then the pushing on the connector does not mean a good connection by the terminals has been achieved.
Here's the field terminal of the Year One/M&H harness that was on my 67 Barracuda for 15 years or so.
Three things to observe:
1. Packard 56 type terminal (compare with original Chrysler/58 style shown in previous post)
2. Permanent set to the leaf spring portion. In this respect the Chrysler Packard 58 type might be slightly better design.
3. Second crimp no longer holding insulation (maybe it never did but it should have been).
Replacing terminals:
If there is a good reason, such as crimp is bad or the wires fraying, OK. But it does shorten the wire and there's not a lot of slack on most wires at the bulkheads. I wouldn't do it if just a cleaning is needed.
When replacing the male terminals, it seems hard to find exact replacements. There doesnt seem to be a Chrysler or Packard 58 version, just Packard 56. But amongst those sold for as that, they are not all the same.
Some have the tail 'wings' and some do not.
This one does not:
This one does:
A critical distance might be from the barb to the 'wings'.
Or it may be from the shoulder to the barb that holds it in place.
Neither of these terminals looks to be the same overall length as the originals in either my car or my Jeep (which uses mostly Packard 56). Photo is a terminal from an AMC/Jeep connector next to the same two shown above.
Don't know if that's important, but something else to try to look for when buying new.