The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Unfortunately my original gasket that fits under the warning panel is kaput. Unlike the originals see LH below, the replacement gaskets commonly available don't have recessses for the warning lights & temp gauge, which makes for a v poor fit


Note that we are looking at the underside of my original gasket, which was fitted on top of the temp gauge - see posts below.

What are peeps doing about this? Maybe I can make a new one using two half thickness sheets of rubber, one with larger holes & the other with smaller holes??

Any advice appreciated

Sounds like your at a similar stage of rebuild to me as I have just been looking at this also.

I suspect on closer inspection that the original gaskets also did not have the recess, its just as the bubber has aged and where it ti compressed that an impression has been made.

Its the warning light I am also struggling with as the ones that look about right are only single wire which wont work (unless you bugger around with insulating tape which I dont fancy)

russelm wrote:Sounds like your at a similar stage of rebuild to me as I have just been looking at this also.
I suspect on closer inspection that the original gaskets also did not have the recess, its just as the bubber has aged and where it ti compressed that an impression has been made.
Its the warning light I am also struggling with as the ones that look about right are only single wire which wont work (unless you bugger around with insulating tape which I dont fancy)

Hi,
Glad I'm in company, hopefully we'll work out some solutions

Ref the gasket/warning panel, below is a pic of my panel when it came apart:


Suspect it was not the first time it had been apart, but reasonably sure that the old temp gauge was an original part. So it clearly looks like the temp gauge was fitted first, then the gasket, then the enfo ali panel fitted last on top. This is also how Stefan has done his - and he's usually right!


I agree about the mystery of the single wire warning lamps. According to the wiring diag, each warning lamp has two wires. Anyone know if these old20 lamps are any better (they need to be for the price!) http://old20tractorparts.com/fordson-de ... t-kit.html

Or these bulbholders (A) below on ebay, (same as old20?):



Or these bulbholders (B) below. Fitted with original type insulated bayonet type bulb holders:



which will fit either these lenses (C) below. Widely available pressed steel lenses suitable for insulated 'clip in' bulb holders, which I'm told work fine but will eventually corrode:



or these lenses (D) below. Copper with chrome plated steel face, replaceable lens. Original 'clip in' bulb holder clips into rear of housing. Replacement insulated metal or plastic clip in bulb holders and bulbs available:



Or these bulbholders (E) below, fitted to lenses (D) above. Close to original design.Chrome faced lens housing with plastic clip in bulb holder, with 2Amp bulb and crimp terminals:



Comments appreciated

I'm at this stage also and I am unsure of what bulbs to purchase! (Why is nothing sold as original made to original spec?!)

Been reading this forum page http://www.fordsontractorpages.nl/phpbb ... hp?p=20355

Those latter bulb holders look just the business!

I have one of the latter loom assemblies which is nicely made and again gets around the single wire issue.

I am also trying to find a good source of the rubber seal for the bottom edge of the instrument panel

I have used one of the second looms shown. for the lens holders i used the original metal part and found some cheap bulb/lens assemblies to rob the lenses out of. super glued the lenses into the original bulb holders. works very nicely. better fit and price than reproduction units.

Regards,
John.

Mark/ John,
Can you confirm that you both have the loom/bulbholders I have labelled (B) in my previous post? ie
Fitted with original type insulated bayonet type bulb holders:

Hi Ben

Yes, that is the type of loom and base I have, what I dont have yet is a good set of lenses (only the originals).

Where did you find the copper based ones?

Thanks

Mark

russelm wrote:Yes, that is the type of loom and base I have, what I dont have yet is a good set of lenses (only the originals).
Where did you find the copper based ones?

http://www.forge-services.co.uk/acatalo ... tsDex.html

Where did you find the loom/bulbholders?

Have you a complete harness yet for your tractor?

Incidently Forge also sell a warning panel gasket with recesses for the lights/tacho (see my first post on this thread). Anyone know if it fits?

I bought my loom from here, not fitted yet but looks very good.

http://www.autosparks.co.uk/product_inf ... ts_id=4052

Cant recall where I got the warning light loom from as it was at a tractor show.

On the gasket, I do have some rubber sheet (I use it on my locomotive), I could drop some in the post to you if you want and then you could cut two sheets out and bond them together to create the stepped look.

Mark,
Thanks for the info. I just phoned Autosparks and they say their harnesses come with OEM style bulb holders. Is that correct?
You have pm.
Ben

Lol, I dont recall there being bulb holders (I hope not as I have them already) but will check when I get chance.

I removed the loom from the packaging to have a quick look at it but, because its not fitted yet I didn't notice them!

Autosparks say that if I take my bits up to them they will give me the correct connectors to fit my non-standard bits like my circuit breaker and Honeywell ignition switch.

Whilst trying to assemble my upper dash panel and get a neat apperance of warning lights and temp gauge, it has become clear that the hole in the dash panel and the enfo bezel are not concentric, see arrows below

So the bezel never is going to sit ontop of the temp gauge symmetrically - the top edge of the gauge will be hidden more than the bottom edge.

Is this just my dash panel, or was a draughtsman sleeping that day in Dagenham??

I will check mine tonight (although it is the original panel and trim)

russelm wrote:I will check mine tonight (although it is the original panel and trim)

Thanks Mark, both my panel & bezel plate are original.

When aligned by eye, the warning lamps and the temp gauge are central on mine (I still need to buy my lenses!).

russelm wrote:When aligned by eye, the warning lamps and the temp gauge are central on mine (I still need to buy my lenses!).

Mark,
Many thanks for checking. I have two upper dash panels and they are both the same, so it appears that the tacho hole in my enfo bezel must be slightly too low. Must be the natural variability of 1950's production - not to worry