Headlight relay specific to '64-'66 Chevy Trucks

[joe231]

rickf, are relays going bad a common occurrence for you?
I haven't really had any problems.

[ChiefRocka]

The wrecking yard is a great place to pocket some relays, fuses, etc. (I noticed everything like that is pretty much stripped).

Also, I purchased a box of them one time at a swap-meet vendor....They were hella cheap, although they were not Bosch.

Also, Bosch makes a really cool relay that has a built in 30amp fuse holder into the housing....and its clear-blue plastic....oooohhh !!

I feel the same about the parts people....When I must, I go to Kragens....you ask them for something simple like a small-block t-stat...or small-block water pump gaskets...or a basic Ford starte solenoid (hydos)....and they always ask "what year, make model...." Really tans my hide !!!


My good buddy Rich is my "parts-pro".....He started out at 18yrs old driving an old 84 Mazda Truck as a parts driver, back in the late 80's...now he the main manager at the local speed shop. He knows EVERYTHING about part numbers and what fits, plus he knows everything I drive...year make models, and all my buddys rides.

This make it way easy...plus he 'hooks it up' !!

Later

[rickf]

Originally Posted by joe231

rickf, are relays going bad a common occurrence for you?
I haven't really had any problems.

Everything goes bad eventually. So it sort of depends on how long you intend to keep what yer makin'.

I've had 6 Volvos from the 1980s. They use lots of relays and yes I have had problems with them. I got the Volvos at various times, e.g. one was an 1985 that I got when it was about 5 years old. Another was a 1980 that I got when it was 20 years old. So saying they are from the 80s doesn't automatically mean they were all super old when I got them, they varied.

The relay we're talking about is an electro-mechanical switch. It is going to wear out. When is the only question. A genuine Bosch may last 20 years or more, I have some that old that are still working. On other cars I've had to replace them, and I used cheap made-in-China clones, at 20% of the Bosch price, and they last 20% of the Bosch lifespan. In the short run, cheap and easy to find, in the long run, no bargain.

My truck will never be for sale as long as I live. And hearing the kids talking, not likely to be for sale in their lifetime either. So I want solutions for the long term.

Besides being easier to change the relay, the socket also has a cleaner appearance. A nice bundle of wires leading to a single connector. Mine have a 2 foot pigtail, so the splicing in to what ever can be downstream and tucked in some nook.

[protrash64]

Update on the relay search in Mesa AZ...............All the big chains are vehicle specific........the Grainger store is wholesale only.........scored at Radioshack.........cleaned out their stock a couple hours ago. Had 30a relays for 6.49 and 40a's for 6.99. They also had LISTED in the drawer a relay w/ socket as was mentioned early, but they were out of stock. I picked up the standard relays.........a couple boxes of connectors and a 100' of wire and the ol' truck is gonna look like a disco!!!!!!!!

[joe231]

protrash, nice score!!
I thought of something, anyone that is gonna use the plug in relays, definitely need to use some dielectric to seal up the connections, they will be in harms way for moisture and corrosion. The more open connections you have the more you are asking for problems. Seems the sealed relays with wires tailed out may be the way to go, IMHO
I realize things wear out, and not quite the same relays, but i have seen relay-logic controlled elevators from the '70 with the original fully functioning relays some 30 years later, just food for thought
joe

[19GMC63]

got mine from some late 80's Chrysler full-size, for free... comes with a braket too which is nice.

[baddawg65]

This is what I used.
http://www.painlessperformance.com/w...rchField=30815

[LILRED66]

baddawg65:

Thanks for the link. I will give it a shot.