Relay question

[65convert]

Guys,

I know this has been discussed before, But... I would like to know if anyone can tell me "how" to replace the existing relays in my car with newer Bosch style relays.

I know that the Thunderbird Ranch has a complete kit for replacing the top relays on T-birds. I have spoken to them, and they were working on a kit for
the LCC. It will be priced at about $800.00. I am sure there is a way to do this without that kind of expense.

I would like to find relays to replace every relay in my LCC.
The biggest concern would be what kind of relays, and how to properly wire them. I would assume I will have to cut all the rubber ends off, and make new connectors.

Has anyone done this?? It seems that this would be a viable technology upgrade... Kind of like a dual master/1406 style of upgrade.

It would increase reliability in quite a few important areas.

Any thoughts??

[Dan Szwarc]

You have to match the components of the new relays to the old ones. they have specific names: coil (2 of them), frame or common, normally open contact, & normally closed.
Use relays that have 20 to 30 amp ratings.

Realys can be very different physically but they are all basically the same.

You need to splice in mating terminals for the new relays onto the old harness. Some connections on the new relays will go straight to ground.

In the end, no one has ever documented this, but it's very doable.

[LC67Vert]

Guys,

I know this has been discussed before, But... I would like to know if anyone can tell me "how" to replace the existing relays in my car with newer Bosch style relays.

I know that the Thunderbird Ranch has a complete kit for replacing the top relays on T-birds. I have spoken to them, and they were working on a kit for
the LCC. It will be priced at about $800.00. I am sure there is a way to do this without that kind of expense.

I would like to find relays to replace every relay in my LCC.
The biggest concern would be what kind of relays, and how to properly wire them. I would assume I will have to cut all the rubber ends off, and make new connectors.

Has anyone done this?? It seems that this would be a viable technology upgrade... Kind of like a dual master/1406 style of upgrade.

It would increase reliability in quite a few important areas.

Any thoughts??

To replace all your top relays at a cost of $800.00 plus all the labor involved seems like overkill to me. In almost 25 years, and 30,000 miles of owning my '67 Lincoln convertible (and the top goes down and up nearly everytime I drive the car) I cannot remember having a problem with the relays. Every once and a while I have had to rebuild a limit switche, motor, pump or wiring. So, if you want a truely bullet-proof system you will have to re-do all of your switches, motors, pumps and wiring as well as replacing the relays. For me I would prefer to keep things stock, but that is just me.

[65convert]

I understand Dan,
I like remaining stock also. I just wanted the reliability that newer relays would offer. It may be a bit much to do though....

[toddallen]

If you have more time and little money, just rebuild your existing relays, most of them last for 40 years without any problems.

http://www.thelincolnforum.net/phpbb3/v ... ing+relays

I think the reliability of the new relays would be negated by the hack job you would have to do with all the new electrical connections you would create to the wiring harness .

[65convert]

Ok guys!!! You have convinced me to cancel the thought. It was maybe a little optimistic.... I wouldn't want to hack the harnesses like that.

Thanks for the input!

[Dan Szwarc]

Actually, with the right crimp tools, re-terminating the harnesses to fit new relays can make new relays quite reliable. Sometimes, the problem is a bad connection of the existing harness and terminals to the old relays.

However, it can easily screwed up by the novice.

[black63lincoln]

I did it for my rear window auto retract.

Definitely doesn't look as pretty as stock but it works great.. no problems as of now.

Pretty sure I replaced the cover on that open relay tho..


http://www.thelincolnforum.net/phpbb3/v ... ys#p101972

[Dan Szwarc]

And a permanent fix would be to cut off the molded ends, solder and shrink wrap the wires to the wires remaining. If you purchased the mating terminal block, the terminals would snap right in then onto the relays.

It can be done. Your's looks OK, but you have introduced another connection. Next would be tagging and labeling them so if they come off you can put them back without looking anything up.

[marcuswalker]

I just replaced my window retracting control relay(in center post) on my 67 and I can't seem to get it to work properly. Could someone confirm that I am connecting it correctly?
30 - Orange wire (always hot)
87a - Yellow wire (window up)
87 - Red wire (window down)
85 - Black wire (from door latch, tooth pick switch)
86 - Red/Blue sniff switch I believe

Thanks

[bobjffry]

Marcus, did the connection above ever work out, if not could you enlighten me on what did. I'm trying to figure out my window up relay connection. The only thing I'm sure about is the orange always hot and red hot when switch activated.