some '37 Terraplane questions

Hudsonrules

Trying to get my '37 ready to drive. Someone rewired the headlights with 12 gauge wire, is it okay to stay that way or should I go to 14gauge, don't plan on using the lights much, but we never know. next question, can i use a wheel from a '41 Hudson as I have no spare? last question, any one have a couple beauty rings for the 16 inch wheels? I need them soon. Thanks in advance, Arnie in Nevada.

Hudsonrules

Trying to get my '37 Terraplane ready to drive. Someone rewired the headlights with 12 gauge wire, is it okay to stay with 12 gauge or should I use 14 gauge, don't plan on using the lights much, but we never know. Next question, can I use a 16 inch wheel from a '41 Hudson as I have no spare/ Last question,Any one have a couple extra 16 inch beauty rings? If so let me know as I need a pair soon. Thanks in advance. Arnie in Nevada.

Kdancy

Hi Arnie, I see no reason that heavier guage wire would not work. It carries a heavier load than the lighter guage. Was it wired with copper or steel core wire? I think the original was steel core. The copper is a better conductor.

Jon B

Arnie, eventually you may want to install a relay on your headlight system. Right now, the current has to run through miles of questionable wire and a couple of possibly old and corroded switches; the relay will send the juice directly to the lights. Plus, you should check your ground from the light socket back to the battery. Chances are you don't have a good circuit back. I soldered a separate wire to the socket body and ran it back (with the rest of the wires) to a place where I could simply bolt it to the frame. And, consider resilvering your reflector. I had mine done maybe 10 years ago for about $50 total, though it's certainly gone up in price since then. If you happen to find one of those NOS 50 watt bulbs (from back in the day), buy them -- or consider getting a pair of the new 6 volt halogen bulbs that fit right in your socket. With these improvements you can look forward to some surprisingly decent illumination.

Kdancy

Good advice Jon B gave you. I run head light relays on all cars I do now whether 6 or 12 volt.
I also run extra grounds as a lot of problems can be traced back to ground issues. I had the reflectors re-silvered on the 37 I am working on, I think the cost was higher but it should make a very big difference.

Ol racer

I install headlight Relays as well with extra ground. 1941 Hudson 16" wheel interchanges. Most local Swap Meets will have decent Beauty Rings....

hudsontech

Regarding ground issues: At one time I had a 1969 Rambler station wagon. The alternator light started coming on, but the battery wasn't really discharging. Sometimes the light would be out, sometimes faintly on, other times bright. I checked everything - still had the problem. So I finally disconnected every electrical connection I could get to, including the little slide in connectors (these do come apart - you need a small thin screwdriver to depress the catch) and cleaned the surfaces. End of problem - corrosion was apparently the cause.

Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN