67 Headlight Motor Problem

[Gary C.]

I have a 67 Headlight motor that will not operate.

I removed the motor and checked it out the best I could on the bench. I am not too familiar with electric motors so I would like the boards help.

The shaft "clinches" when connected to a power source, but does not spin. I took it all apart and cleaned everything well. The shaft will spin freely by hand and does not seem to be bound up in any way. The windings and internal look as though they have been rebuilt at some point.

Is there a way to determine just where the problem with my motor resides? I see LICS offers new brushes and the armature as well as imported replacement motors. Obviously I would like to make what I have work if at all possible.

Thanks in advance.

Gary

[Joe R.]

Re: 67 Headlight Motor Problem

Gary,

Take the armature and place it under some kind of magnification. There may be a wire broken where they are attached to the stator. You can soldier that back and it will work fine.

Also check the field coil. If there is a dark streak among the wires it has burned the wires internally and may need rewinding. Most shops that rewind motors can fix that with no problem.

Good luck

JR

[Domenic T.]

Re: 67 Headlight Motor Problem

Gary,
I agree with what Joe says and if nothing there look in the area of your brushes.
I did mine years ago and had to replace my brushes and clean the commutater they ride on. The lines in the com have to be clean of any conductor or they will bridge the segments.
I worked in a electric motor shop while in school and rebuilt many brush motors and found most of the problems in the brush area.
If there is no visible wear and you see that it needs cleaning you will have scrape the segments on the copper commutator to get the used brush material out. (I use an exacto knife and grind the tip flat), then spin the com in a piece of fine sand paper (320 or 220 grit) to smooth it out. Also lightly clean the contacting surface of the brushes with the sand paper. If the motor works and the brushes are long enough you have it. just put a dab of grease at the bearings and your done. I would check the brush length for future use or replace them if in doubt.

DOM