Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models > Parts

Questions Regarding Static collectors

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196667Bob:

--- Quote from: 65Ford on January 05, 2018, 12:36:30 AM ---My question is, did the 1965 Mustang have these and how many model years did Ford install these in their cars?

--- End quote ---

I believe that I can provide a little insight/ history on the Wheel Static Collector Springs (Ford's "official" name for these parts.

About 10 years ago, I did a little research (by no means real "in depth", but just enough to "be dangerous") on these as they were supposed to be on both my 1957 Retractable and 1957 Thunderbird. My Ford Literature collection is very thin prior to 1955, although I do have Product Service Letters, Management Service Letters and Radio Service letters dating back to their beginnings. I found in Radio Service Letter R-1, Dated July 26, 1950 (a copy of which is attached), reference to the Radio Suppression Kit which included the Wheel Static Collectors. As noted in the Service Letter, these were not installed at the Factory, but shipped to the Dealers in the Glove Compartment for their Installation (I wonder how many were really installed ?). The contents of the 1950 Radio Suppression Kit are shown in the next attachment, from Radio Service Letter R-2.

This got me wondering how much earlier that the collectors might have been available. In searching for this information, I somehow had the idea to check for Patents. Sure enough, the Wheel Static Collector was Patented on January 11, 1938, by two GM (boo) employees (a copy of the Patent is attached). While a little different than the one pictured in your Post, it is similar and virtually identical to the ones found on my 57's (picture attached). I checked with best friend, whom I've known for over 60 years, and is a Cadillac collector. Sure enough, his 1940 " 60 Special" had the original Static Collectors still on it. While this of course doesn't mean that Ford used them in 1940, they could have.

I then dug a little deeper into my literature and found Product Service Letter No. 242, dated April 4, 1955 (copy attached). This notes that the Wheel Static Collectors were not installed by the Factory prior to November 15, 1954 (which would imply that after that date, they were). It also notes that the Wheel Static Collectors were not available as Service Parts from Ford, but had to be obtained from either Bendix or Motorola (these are noted in the Suppression Kit shown in Radio Service Letter R-2, Dated August 25, 1950, attached).
I next went to my Technical Service Bulletins to see what might be covered. I only checked my 1956-62 TSB's, but what I found was pretty interesting. In the TSB's covering 1957 models, there are several Articles on "Radio Noise", the Suppression Kits installation and trouble shooting. Then when TSB's covering 1958 Models begins, the "suppression issues" seem to disappear (Ford must have thought that they had this item resolved). As a matter of fact, this was the case through the 1962 TSB's. As I mentioned, I didn't look at any of my TSB's after 1962, but did then check my Ford Shop Manuals. The Radio Suppression Kit components were covered in my 1957,1959, 1962, 1966, 1967 and 1971 Shop Manuals. A couple of interesting things appeared after going through the Shop Manuals. First, in 1966, in the illustrations of the components, a Group Number is shown for the Wheel Static Collector ; 18938-A. Did this mean that Ford now had a Service Part for this ? And secondly, the illustrations of the Suppression Components in the 1971 Shop Manual no longer shows the Wheel Static Collectors.

Time to check the MPC's. Neither the 1949-59, the 1960-64, nor the 1965 MPC's show this Part Number. However, the 1966, 1967, 1960-68 and the 1965-72 MPC'c all do list it. It is listed as Part Number C6AZ-18938-A in all. Interestingly though, the Applications are shown as only being for 1966-70 Full Size Fords with Disc Brakes, and for 1967 Thunderbirds. Of course the nature of the part itself, would not limit this to being used on only those Models noted. As a matter of fact, the 1966, 67 and 68 Mustang Electrical Assembly Manuals all show the Wheel Static Collectors as part of the Radio Suppression components.

In Summary, the Wheel Static Collector Springs were furnished as a part of the Radio Suppression Kit going back to at least 1950. Prior to November of 1954, they were shipped with the cars for Dealer Installation. After that Date, they wer Factory Installed until ?.Initially, other than those being shipped with a car with a radio, they were only available from Bendix or Motorola. In 1966, Ford showed a Part Number for the Wheel Static Collector Spring (C6AZ-18938-A). This is shown in the November 1965 List Price Book for $0.75 each, but jumped to $1.60 each in the November 1966 Price Book. In looking at my OSI books (1966-1979, plus 1981 and 1990, I could not find where Ford made this "Not Replaced" (Obsolete).

So, there you have it ; all I know, and probably more than you wanted to know, about the Wheel Static Collector Springs.

Hope you enjoyed the ride.

Bob

67gtasanjose:
Interesting read. At least I now get the gist of what they were doing with these static collectors.

So, times have changed, car radios have changed too since the late 30's and it took over 30 years for these to no longer appear to be needed. I had trouble reading some of the text of the patent but I did not notice any reference to the tubes in tires, only the tires, the air and other "ideas" with no proof of the exact source of the static.

So, did the advent of transistors change the need? FM radio? Hmmm...tubeless tires? Obviously, we no longer need these in modern cars so I suppose more could be learned if somebody wishes to search but I am pleased that we do not have to all run out and search for a couple of these to add to EVERY car with a radio in it!

67gta289:
Bob, thanks for sharing your research.  I found it interesting that the 67 shop manual has a figure (picture attached) that infers these are used on Mustangs, but like you I see that in the January 1967 MPC the 18938 part is only listed for the full size Ford with Disc Brakes (picture also attached).  You mentioned full size Ford and Thunderbird but I did not see reference to the Thunderbird. ***EDIT*** I found the Thunderbird reference in the 65-72 MPC.

196667Bob:
John : The Thunderbird reference I mentioned actually came from the 1960-68 MPC, but you are correct that it is also listed in the 1965-72 MPC.

The Shop Manual References that I referred to, and which you attached an illustration from are one source noting that the Wheel Static Collector Springs were used on Mustangs, but I think more importantly, are the references that I noted of the 1966. 67 and 68 Mustang Electrical Assembly Manuals, where they are shown for each of the years. I do not have a 1965 Mustang Electrical Assembly Manual, which might address the OP's question more directly, so if someone has this, they could possibly confirm that they do show up in the 1965 EAM also. However, my guess is if they do, they would be the "earlier" type (as shown in the first attached picture without the 3 long "tails"), as opposed to the one with the "tails" (as shown in the second picture) as it carries a C6AZ Part Number.

Bob

jwc66k:

--- Quote from: 196667Bob on January 07, 2018, 11:21:20 AM ---I do not have a 1965 Mustang Electrical Assembly Manual, which might address the OP's question more directly,

--- End quote ---
It's there, AM0008 pg61, 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder applications.
Jim

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