MTFCA Forum

I orded a plastic kit to rebuild the coul box on my 26 from Langs quite a while ago and it was backordered. I was advised to call some other suppliers but lost track of time and have been busy at work so just didnt get it done. I recieved an email from langs stating they changed suppliers and have mine ready to ship. I called today and it has been shipped. Just a heads up that they may be instock again.

My box had the older contacts from long ago and wouldn't tension on the coils. When I went to the plastic rebuild the new FP/Birdhaven contacts weren't avail. Later I got the contacts and installed, makes a world of diff. I'd say get the new contacts too when you rebuild.

http://www.funprojects.com/products/5000ConSet.aspx

I’m in the same boat as Dallas. Was told the correct, good contacts are no longer available. Any one know where a set can be had?

Gee fellas. Many years ago Ron Patterson stated the exact opposite on this Forum. Said Ford’s originals were better than repop coil box contacts. I’ve bent originals for coil boxes I’ve restored and they work fine. Very available when you find coil boxes with rotted wood.....

I plan to use original contacts. That was my understanding also George. I just was waiting on the FP kit for the wood " plastic".

Ron P. was right. It was the poor quality of the then-available contacts which inspired Fun Projects to subsequently begin making good ones.

I was advised by Lang’s that the new plastic coil box kit they are sending me is from a new manufacturer. When I inquired about the contacts, they have available the generic ones but have not found a manufacturer for the really good ones. Some of mine are not very good anymore, thus the need for some good replacements.

This is from the fun projects web sight about the replacement parts for the coil box. Jim
Disassembly:
NOTE: It is assumed that the coil box assembly has been
removed from the engine. It is very desirable to salvage
and use the ORIGINAL coil box contacts consisting of 8
spring contact terminals fastened to the rear panel and one
bottom contact terminal strip fastened to the bottom panel.
Original terminals were made from PHOSPHOR BRONZE
and once cleaned up are far superior to any copper plated
steel type contacts. See Figure 1 for a comparison of the
various types of coil box contacts. Use the step by step
procedure below to safely salvage the coil box terminals.
1) Carefully remove the center sheet metal frontpanelto

As mentioned earlier in the thread, these are listed in the Fun Projects catalog (these are the ones that are apparently out of stock) as an alternative to the common and cheaper replacements that everyone disparages:

“These Coil Box Spring Contact Sets fit the 1913-1927 Model T Ford metal coil boxes. The parts are made exactly to Ford drawings on file at Fun Projects, Inc. The metal chemistry and temper are exactly the same as originally supplied by Ford and the parts are carefully formed to the correct shape per Ford drawings to insure proper electrical contact with the coil unit side and bottom terminals. Unlike other reproduction spring contacts these contacts will not fatigue and become intermittent. The 5000/5001Con-Set fits the metal coil box used from 1913(late)-1925 that was mounted to the dash panel inside the passenger compartment. The 5001BCon-Set fits the coil box used from 1925(late)-1927 that was mounted on the motor.

Made exactly to Ford drawings on File
Correct metal chemistry
Correct metal tempering
Correct metal forming”

So when and if these become available again, they should perform as well as originals, if those original contacts had never been used.

More than a few coil boxes that were in the scrap pile were thrown away over time when the contacts should have been saved. A few years ago I began saving the contacts and have been saving enough for my use. Those mashed and rotted down boxes a lot of us just didn’t think about had contacts in them that should have been saved.

I found a really nice looking 26-27 box yesterday, the wood is not great, but everything else looks nice. Needs painted, but very solid and lid fit tight. What kind of value is that ?

Santa brought me my FP coil box kit today. The plastic bits are black in color. As for old coil box parts, the only thing I pitch is the wood if it is too far gone for a pattern. My contacts are in great shape as is the wood. I want to make sure I have no carbon tracking or " loose juice" in the box.

Please post how you are coming along. I have to do the same thing soon and want to see how you are going to deal with the small bar that runs through the box. I think you have to bend it to get it out. Do you heat it up? How are you going to put it back and get it tight?

Mopar:
Is this the part? If so just replace, old ones do usually break as you suggest, jb. https://www.modeltford.com/item/5002STP.aspx

Robert, if you want to save it, for sure heat it. It needs to be red hot and let cool by itself. A .000 tip for an acet. torch works well, and it just takes a fraction of a second, well, maybe a bit more. I'd give it a try, if it breaks, get a new one. Be sure to heat it again before you reinstall it. Dave

I have not started on the coil box yet. I have major surgery planned for the runabout this winter. I have a correct "Joe Bell" rebuilt engine to install. Now its running a tired 22 engine. I need to replace a rusted front cross member and install a Muncie 3 speed. I am trying to beat the weather to get a new house framed for a customer now. Probably be after the 1st of the year before I get some real therapy in the shop. I havnt had any real shop therapy since before OCF! Starting to get the ssshhhaaakkkees.

I have a lot of original coilbox contacts around here somewhere. If anyone needs some, post on the classifieds, email or, PM me. Dave

Thanks for the input. I'll try to save my old one but now I know I can get a new one.

My 27 coil box had pre 26-27 contacts in it. Birdhaven had the good new contacts from Fun Projects in stock.