Q about turn signal boxes for early 911s

[mhackney]

My 70 S has pot metal turn signal boxes front and rear that are badly corroded - to the point that the threaded posts that the lenses screw in to are almost completely gone. I know new ones are available. Does anyone know if these new ones are also pot metal or are they plastic now.

thanks!
Michael

[silverc4s]

Michael,
They are pot metal as well, and EXPENSIVE!!!

You can refurbish yours by cleaning, and respraying the inside with chrome, aluminum, or even bright white spray paint. Works pretty well, unless you are going for the Pebble Beach bit, etc..

Buy all the new gaskets, clean the socket /wiring up and away you go...

PS> You may also find good used ones at Parthseaven or the like..

[mhackney]

Thanks, yes I see that they are $$! My problem is that the posts that are threaded for the lens screws are corroded out. I was thinking that I could drill them out, insert an alluminum rod (epoxy in place) and drill and tap new holes for the lenses. Seems like a lot of work though!

Michael

[racemor]

I had the same problem on two of my light units. Just don't do what my car's p.o. did (or what his body shop did). As a short cut they ran the bolt through the unit and shoved bondo up behind it to hold the bolt in place

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by mhackney
Thanks, yes I see that they are $$! My problem is that the posts that are threaded for the lens screws are corroded out. I was thinking that I could drill them out, insert an alluminum rod (epoxy in place) and drill and tap new holes for the lenses. Seems like a lot of work though!Michael

Mike, the screws that hold the lenses on don't require much torque to hold them in place so what I would do is get some JB Weld, build up the posts with it and then rethread the holes. Cost will be less than $5.00.

[silverc4s]

Sadly, these housings really take a beating, especially in the front, over the years due to weather, water retention, wind & sand blowing through, etc... As a result, the parts salvagers generally don't get all that many good ones from cars they part out.
I suggested Partsheaven, because they are in California, mild climate, etc... much easier on stiff like this.
I purchased a good pair from Aase Brothers just before they shut down in LA area, and only later found that I had bought '72 housings, which caused me a lot of grief with my oil level gauge wiring, as in that one year it's different. Caveat Emptor, right?
Good Luck

[Jim Sims]

There is a product called "form-a-thread" or something like that for repairing stripped inside (female) threads in low strength requirement applications like a tailight housing. I believe it is a loaded resin (epoxy?) that one mixes up and and puts into the hole and then one installs the screw. I seem to recall the screw doesn't become bonded due to a coating one applies to the threads. I may have some of this stuff at home and I'll look for it tonight to get more information. Also, Eastwood sells an aerosol relective paint to apply to the inside of the light assemblies that need the reflective coating restored. Cheers, Jim

[Jim Sims]

Couldn't find the "form-a-thread"stuff; either used it up or threw it out when it became old and hard. The Eastwood stuff is called "Reflective Aluminum" part no. 1283Z; it's in an aerosol can which claims to cover 6 square ft. The stuff is some type of acrylic lacquer. Cheers, Jim

[mhackney]

Thanks all! I've ordered some of the reflector paint. After looking at the screw posts (there are really only 1 per housing) I think going the epxy route would probably work. My local hardware store has a great selection of metric SS and I found new screws that match the originals.

I'll order some new gaskets front and back, take everything apart, clean, fill in the posts with epoxy, powderpaint, reflector paint, clean all the electrical contacts and reassemble. I'm on vacation next week so maybe all the parts will show up when I get home on the 6th!

Michael

[Jim Sims]

Here's info on the Loctite "form-a-thread" stuff:


http://doityourself.com/store/6910806.htm


Jim