As the cars came out of the factory , were there any protective boots over these posts?

I really dont like those things exposed and will be protecting mine, but I am interested if bare = normal. I have checked one other car and found them bare, but dont know if that means the covers rot away or they are never there.

 

Hi Steve,

All Series 3's had push on type terminals with braided leads and rubberised covers for each terminal.

These were colour specific to signify polarity. Red - Pos, Black - Neg

Most have perished and weren't replaced, so aren't there today.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

Yep.

They had a rubber cover on each side.

The fact they were British Non-metallic components, rotted within about 5 years. They sort of "hung on" for another 5, if left undisturbed, but after that, gone.

I tried to buy some when I had the Series cars, but got too hard. I knew they were "bare" and never got caught out.

 

Hi Grant,

As a follow up.

Depending on what battery you fit, clearance with the bonnet is / should not be an issue.

I always liberally smear high temp bearing grease on my terminals, primarily to ward off oxidation and resultant terminal fluff.

Never had an issue.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

Agreed, many a scorched S2 bonnet from that little blunder.

My understanding was thread was in regard to the battery cable +ve threaded posts on the firewall, one each side, that came with rubber 90deg elbows as a covering???

 

I think yarpos is referring to the threaded fine 3/8 posts that penetrate the firewall. The inside or interior has a rubber boot. I have never seen a cover on the engine compartment side.

As for the aformentioned top battery terminal issue...new leads and a side terminal battery is a practical retrofit.

 

Found it. I knew that I had seen it some place :-)

 

An all of the above answer???


My 83 has a side post battery. good, but with reservations. when, I was having starter travails, the negative connection in the battery case just melted!!! High draw of done for starter??? A little tin cup with formed threads was imbedded in the lead.Lead melted. No connection anymore. Battery replaced with a spare. All is well now. That would never happen with the husky lead posts found on top post batteries.


Yes, there was a remnant of a rubber like cap on the fire wall post. Lost in the lumping shuffle. I don't recall a similar thing on the starter solenoid.


Sans covers seems to function just fine.


Carl

 

Yes he is. We had a conversation about it and I expressed similar concern since discovering mine are the same. I'm going to find some kind of cover, don't like them exposed.

 

Thanks all for the responses. I think I will just buy a variety of protective boots from Ebay and see what fits the best. I went through the same process with the little Morris I am slowly resuscitating.

 

Hi Steve,

Sorry to go off at a tangent.

I'll read the question a second time before answering next time.

I just remembered that my English teacher used to regularly repeat that to me 30 years ago at school.

My spots must be a bit rusted on!

In regards to the boots that you were enquiring about, a couple of the well known jag specialists seem to stock them when I just checked on them.

Item C30693

A couple of pounds each plus postage.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

Steve, I've been wondering if those small rubber chair leg cups could be tweaked to fit. Bunnings have them in different sizes from tiny to quite large - it's a long shot, but a cheap fix if it works. I'll investigate.

 

Before heading off to Bunnings I decided to delve into the black hole (aka bits box) and voila! found 2 rubber cups. No idea where they came from, no doubt of some ancient origin. Probably used for a similar electrical purpose I'm guessing...Anyhow, they're a perfect snug fit over the expose nuts. I might pull them off again and add a bit of silicone for a little extra seal.

Not a perfect solution as the back end of each terminal is still exposed, but it's a start.

 

Certainly stop an inadvertent slip of the spanner hitting one. I have some covers coming from Ebay that fit over the cable , then the terminal (if I got the sizing near the mark). Will post if they are any good, and will have some to share as minimum order = 10.

 

No worries Steve, happy to buy some from you if good. I was thinking a bigger cup would be better - maybe cut a slot to slip over the cables.

 

the 1982 thru 1984 batteries were side mounts, and they had plastic or "nylon" snap covers over each terminal. The nylon covers were part of each cable; my 1984 still has them, I will take a picture and post it later.

 

Jose:


My 83 as well. But, on the cable end that goes on to the battery. Other ends
now bare....


Carl

 

Carl, here's the cables and caps in my 1984:

 

Me Ebay envelope arrived so I thought I would see if my guesstimate sizing worked and I could add some protection to these terminals.

Passenger side near battery before:


After (couldnt quite get that wire in with the battery cable, but still its a ot more protected.


Drivers side before:


Drivers side after (more complete cover on this one and also gave me the opportunity to tidy up a spaghetti junction)



Bit more protected from an inadvertent strike and the red is a bit of a flag about whats lurking there.

 

Nice one Steve, glad it worked. I like that they're red.