[alfa] Spica Fuel Cutoff Solenoid

[Jon Pike <jhpike@xxxxxxx>]

> I've seen it coming for a while and despite my babying, yesterday it finally
> > happened, the spade connector on the Fuel Cutoff Solenoid snapped off. Has
> > anybody ever found away to replace that connector or do I need to find a
> > replacement?
> >
> > Mitch Wolberg,
> > Denver, CO
> > 69 Berlina - If its not one thing its a half dozen others.
> > 69 Spider Jr.
>  
>
> I soldered mine back on.  Just had to clean parts up to get good, clean 
> surfaces.  However, positioning/holding the spade for soldering was the big 
> annoyance.
>
> //kct, Powell,TN  
This can work,  but think of it as a temporary fix.

Solder should not be thought of as a mechanical connection,  because 
it's so soft,  and has terrible dynamic properties. (stretches and 
cracks very easily with stress)

That said,  if there's not a lot of vibration stress,  (just the wire 
hanging off the engine) it could last a long while.  It also depends on 
the joint.  If there is a tight fit mechanically,  and the solder is 
just filling in the gap (like all good solder joints are supposed to be) 
you'll have much better results than if you just held two parts together 
and used the solder as glue.

Not criticising your idea or tecnique Kent..  just wanted to mention 
that soldering things together is nowhere near something like a braised 
joint.

Couple of tips for soldering..  yes, clean clean clean.. A fine wire 
brush should help getting hard to reach areas bright again..  Tin the 
surfaces (coat with a thin layer of solder) if possible before making 
the joint.  Get good ol' rosin core solder (type of flux) it works much 
better than the new water removable flux that is used a lot nowadays..  
hate that stuff...

I had a decision on doing this myself..  I managed to slip and break off 
one of the terminals of the reverse switch (inside the Bell Housing) and 
even though it had a pretty tight fit on the stud of the rivet that used 
to hold it,  I didn't solder it.  Probably would have held up for a long 
while,  but because it means removing the transmission from the engine 
to replace it....  I bought a new one.

Anyway,  you might even be able to resolder it a few times..  and hey,  
they have butane powered soldering irons for those long trips far from 
home..  ;-)

Also,  Wes Ingram has them listed on his website for $85,  if you want 
the long term fix..

Jon (offering  the wisdom of working with solder for a couple of decades)
77 Spider
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