Voltage Regulator Question

[mrsnicks]

71 Charger 318 w/points. When I originally bought my used car the voltage regular "guts" had melted and run down the firewall. When I replaced it the 2 bolts wouldn't keep it tight on the firewall. Does the voltage regulator need to be grounded on the firewall to work?

If so how can I keep it tight on the firewall? The 2 screws just get a little tight then loosen up on the next turn.

Thanks,

Patrick

 

[Funship32]

Yes, you very much need a good ground on your VR. To fix, you can run a seperate ground wire (perhaps solder it to the outside case) but you still want to find a way to bolt it down somewhat tightly which would then negate the need for a seperate wire. To fix your stripped holes I imagine you can either move the VR slightly and create new holes or possibly use slight larger bolts? Can't say for sure since I've never had that problem.

 

[robocop1971]

X2 Funship 32 or relocate and use self tapping screws. Make sure you clean the paint down to metal for a good ground contact.

 

[mrsnicks]

These are the screws that are currently holding it in/on.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-Volta...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ce7988ff9&vxp=mtr

 

[Funship32]

Yeah, those are what I remember them as- self tapping bolts. Honestly your options are limited here. One option is that you can try to find slightly larger versions of the bolts you have, which may be a crap shoot. Another is to move the VR and then redrill new holes. Another option is to take a sliver of tin or aluminum and bend it like an 'L'. Put part of it in the hole and then try to mount as you normally would. The sliver can help take up the extra space created when the hole was stripped. A last option, and use this as you wish, is to take a cotter pin. Doesn't need to be a large one but you want to use one that is a bit longer than the bolts. Cut the ends so they are equal length. Then bend the ends outward so that the pin looks like a "T". You just need some 'tabs' to keep the pin from falling in. Then insert the pin in the hole so that the bent section of the pins are flush with the firewall. Then mount as you normally would. Again, it isn't ideal but it will work. And as Robocop said- scrape down the paint where your bolts go or at the very least where the bent tabs of the cotter pin go IF you go that route to provide good ground.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Or you could remove the plastic cover off the crowel and put nuts on them tighten the bolts and put the cover back on.

 

[nm9stheham]

If you don't care about original, then use through bolts and nuts and star washers, which are made to ground things. The self-tapping bolts are always an issue when they get old, and a solid, clean ground is critical for these VR's.

 

[mrsnicks]

If you don't care about original, then use through bolts and nuts and star washers, which are made to ground things. The self-tapping bolts are always an issue when they get old, and a solid, clean ground is critical for these VR's.

That's probably what I'll do, just need to get a helper. Hoping I can reach the back of them pretty easily w/o removing the dash.

Patrick