solenoid contact plate

[Timothy B.]

Can someone tell me how the contact plate is removed to be turned over on this part. It's the plate that came from the 1114344 solenoid I am installing on my 67.

If it comes apart like I think I may do more harm than good..

[Jack H.]

Re: solenoid contact plate

It's not the rotating contact plate that gets 'flipped' over... It's the brass hex-head bolt below that the contact plate touches that wears out. If the bolt is original, you can expect roughly 50% of the hex-head top (the active contact area) to be worn down and 'eaten' into.

Remove the contact bolt from the Bakelite cover on the solenoid, rotate it 180-degees, and re-install it in the Bakelite cover. Now the rotating contact plate will have a 'fresh' mating surface to make contact with...

[Timothy B.]

Re: solenoid contact plate

Jack,

Thanks for the responce, so you are telling me the plating that's wore off the plate exposing the copper will not hurt anything. I recall when I overhauled my 1114910 solenoid from my 63 I turned the plate over to the new plated side. This one looks different in that there looks like a pin that's driven into the center expanding the outer sections.

I am aware of the battery terminal stud turning it 180*.

[Terry M.]

Re: solenoid contact plate

Tim,
Years ago the washer you pictured was attached to the shaft with a removable spring clip. Extract the clip and flip the washer over, and reinstall the clip. Solenoids have not used that construction for quite some time. The manufacturer saves a penny or two on each assembly.

[Jack H.]

Re: solenoid contact plate

No, I'm not telling you that...

IF you feel the contact wheel is badly worn, then replace it. There are solenoid repair kits that supply fresh new components.

What I said is the brass contact bolt that installs in the solenoid cap is the 'soft' side of the electrical contact that typically shows the greatest surface wear and is usually dealt with by removal and 180-degree re-installation to use the unused side.

[Timothy B.]

Re: solenoid contact plate

Thanks Terry and Jack for your help.

Terry, the spring clip must have been exactly what the 1114910 (1963) solenoid is like, I remember turning without problem.

I think this assembly is better left alone because it looks like I will damage it trying to take it off and never get it together correctly.

[Domenic T.]

Re: solenoid contact plate

Tim,
what they are telling you will work but you may need to turn the other large contactor also.
I did one about 6 Mos ago and the contactor was badly worn . After I turned it 180 the washer would not contact the other contactor till I turned it also.

DOM