Various questions: Wire clips, electrical connectors, horn wire, fan belt

[Bryan]

D24 1948 Dodge Sedan:  Does anyone know a source for (or DIY) for the metal C & S type clips that hold wires to fenders?   Also what are the wire connector cylinders shown in the 2nd picture?   For the horn wire coming out the end of the steering column, is that hard to thread thru & install?   A good source or substitute for the upper control arm rubber bumpers?   Are the notched fan belts okay to use? My original belt is solid (5/8" wide at top, 3/8" at bottom of V). 

[rallyace]

Unless you are going for a concours level restoration, just use plastic c-clips from your local car parts purveyor and screw them on. The metal ones are spot welded in place and need to be chiseled off.  The cylinders are bullet connectors. The wire has an end crimped on that looks like a bullet. The ends get pushed into the cylinder and it connects the wires. Quite common way to connect wires back in the day. Quick and easy, just what was needed on the assembly line. The horn wire is simple to thread through the steering column. I would remove the horn button and use the existing wire to pull the new one through. If this is not possible, you can run a piece of stiff wire down the column from the horn button location. It is easy, getting the horn button off may be difficult as some are screwed on from behind the steering wheel and some are removed by twisting the plastic part of the button about a quarter of a turn. Several of the Mopar parts purveyors have the bumpers. Check with Andy Bernbaum's www.oldmoparts.com

[desoto1939]

when replacing the horn wire it pulls out from the top of the steering column. so you have to remove the steering wheel.

 

The cable goes through a a plate and long tube to prevent it from getting caught in the sector gear on the steering shaft.

 

So when you get read to pull the wire out of the column I suggest that you get some wire and then attach it to the end of the existing wire with some tape and then slowly pull the wire up an out of the column. Also disconnect the old wire from the metal wire and leave it inthe shaft. tape it into position and label do not remove and do this at the other end of the steering box. 

 

Then when you are ready to put the new wire in the shaft againt tape the end to the wire and then slowly pull the wire down the shaft and you will then have to be careful and get the wire into the hole and it will come out the other end at the bottom of the steering box.   This is how i did mine and it works and makes it a simple DYI job  I did this on a 1939 Desoto.

[rallyace]

I hit the reply button too quickly, the notched belts are fine. Just make sure that the belt does not ride above the sides of the grooves on the pulleys.

[greg g]

The horn wire which grounds the horn relay typically comes down the steering column, exits the bottom of steering gear box  and terminates with a phenolic butt connector .  The butt connector accepts a bullet connector on a wire attached to the relay.

 

The strip connector is where the wires for Hi lo beam switch split to the head lamps.  The running parking lamps feed may be there also.  Use your volt meter or test light to see which is which.  Never seen the wire clamps anywhere, hard ware stores have reasonable facsimiles

[desoto1939]

Here is a picture of the plate and tube that is inside the steering box so now you willunderstand the use of the wire.

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

 

[Booger]

you can buy a kit of various connectors spades and plugs at HFreight  and replace as you go. Liquid tape frayed wires. Clean that thing up. On the Double, Mister!

[Bryan]

Thanks a bunch y'all ! Ran out of likes.