Hey guys! Just getting ready to start tinkering with the new 1971 Mach 1 351 4v that I picked up not long ago. I drove it home about 250 miles and it ran great but needs some TLC for sure.
So I'm thinking about trying to get ahead of the curve on electrical issues that it may already have or that are likely to arise.
Can you fill me in on what the common electrical malfunctions of this vehicle are so I can target them up front? I already know that the lights are flickering and the brake lights have a ground issue. Hopefully just a cleanup.
If there was a weak point. It would be at the connector block on the firewall, where the main harness attaches to the inside harness. There are several posts, of issues' regarding this. Unplug, clean, and apply dielectric/ silicone grease to the connectors, and you should eliminate that problem before it starts. Hope it helps JTS 71 Mach1
+1 on EVERY earth point you can find. Check the plugs to ensure they are clean and tight. Larger cables to the starter, and the battery/frame earth/block earth never go astray. The factory only use the minium they can get away with.
Cleaning all the globe holders can also make a positive difference.
(02-18-2015, 04:18 PM)Mach1FatherFigure Wrote: +1 on EVERY earth point you can find. Check the plugs to ensure they are clean and tight. Larger cables to the starter, and the battery/frame earth/block earth never go astray. The factory only use the minium they can get away with.
Cleaning all the globe holders can also make a positive difference.
Sounds like more good advice. Just what I need. But please clear up some of the lingo for me.
+1 means?
battery/frame earth/block earth never go astray.
What does this mean exactly please?
I just installed a ground from the battery to the frame.
globe holders? I'm going with headlights and tailights here. Is that right?
Hey Eric, you will have to forgive him as he's from a slightly different place and while they do speak English. They refer to several things a little differently. Globes, would in fact be lights, Globe holders, then would be the sockets the bulbs fit into. +1 is kinda like saying good job, or a thumbs up, on every Ground/ earth point. Negative battery post, Ground from battery to frame, and body, Ground from frame to engine. (Adding extra grounds or larger ones never hurt anything either) They also say things like Bonnet, instead of hood. And the trunk is called a boot. There are several others, I'm sure he will chime in shortly, and set us straight on some more of their local lingo. He's good people he just talks funny! Those things that make us different also make us more interesting. JTS 71 Mach1
How about a "sticky" ignition switch (wants to stick in crank position) especially in cold weather. Is it the switch? the cylinder? or an adjustment?
(02-16-2015, 01:54 PM)FirstMach1 Wrote: Hey guys! Just getting ready to start tinkering with the new 1971 Mach 1 351 4v that I picked up not long ago. I drove it home about 250 miles and it ran great but needs some TLC for sure.
So I'm thinking about trying to get ahead of the curve on electrical issues that it may already have or that are likely to arise.
Can you fill me in on what the common electrical malfunctions of this vehicle are so I can target them up front? I already know that the lights are flickering and the brake lights have a ground issue. Hopefully just a cleanup.
Those things that make us different also make us more interesting. 
JTS 71 Mach1
How about a "sticky" ignition switch (wants to stick in crank position) especially in cold weather. Is it the switch? the cylinder? or an adjustment? ![[-]](https://mach1club.com/images/collapse.png "[-]")
