Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hi all,

Almost have my 400 back after lengthy stay with repair shop. (The story is way too long and painful to share).

Mechanic has reported grief with pushbutton and I have supplied everything on the subject that is on this site. (Many thanks for the contributions)

Latest..., I was asked to seek advice on what to do about a cracked contact bridge (see pic).

Welcome your advice and if necessary direction to an nos item to replace.

Cheers
Russ

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Russ,

Try sending MrPushbutton, John, a PM. If he's unable to help directly, will most likely be able to point you in the right direction!

Thanks Mal

PM sent

RJ

I'm on it!

I asked Dan Kanter on this and he recommended removing the cracked portion and thoroughly cleaned it and use a high grade epoxy and apply the epoxy to the cracked piece and bolt it back in before it sets. He also recommended to improve the sector with epoxy as well while you have it apart. I have included picture of that repair. The epoxy is the grayish color applied to the face and top edge.



Thanks
James

<a href="http://s671.photobucket.com/user/JamesRFrom/media/Packard%20400/NCM_0144.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv72/JamesRFrom/Packard%20400/NCM_0144.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NCM_0144.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s671.photobucket.com/user/JamesRFrom/media/Packard%20400/NCM_0145.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv72/JamesRFrom/Packard%20400/NCM_0145.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NCM_0145.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s671.photobucket.com/user/JamesRFrom/media/Packard%20400/NCM_0146-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv72/JamesRFrom/Packard%20400/NCM_0146-1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NCM_0146-1.jpg"/></a>

only thing, you should keep the same radius, my dad used phenoic between the contacts, at same level, you don't want finger to drop, that is how they break,

James,
What is the purpose of the epoxy on the face and edge?

It also looks like the orange wire, last one on the right has gotten hot, and melting the covering, or is that just grease?

Hi all, It seems the 'major' problem is not the contact bridge.

Below is a copy of the text I got this afternoon (with translation)
"Hi. Had sparky (auto electrician) here all morning and he has now left to go and commit hurry curry (suicide). In spite of that we need the 6 terminal reversing relay. Existing one not doing its thing and no equivalent we can use. Changed to new push button unit as old one missing a vital bit for neutral start function. How quickly can we procure one. Cheers"

Is the relay available??

Cheers
Russ

Quote:

The epoxy is used to bridge that gap between the two sections and inhibit the selector pointer from getting hung up.

when the finger comes to the gap and disconnects there is a spark. This spark erodes the phenolic(the redish/brown insulator held on by rivets) behind the sector contacts and a deeper and deeper gap, eventually a finger falls so far in to the gap that it cannot come out of the gap, thus the finger bends and/or the segment cracks.

The epoxy, modern material fills in the gap and will not erode from the spark. The two contacts on the segment often become misaligned from loosening rivets. Rivets MUST be tightened or problem will reoccur.
Best to tighten then re-arc contacts so they are even.

Thanks
James