helmet heads and battery posts

Before you say anything, yes I am well aware that helmet head connectors are cranky and need lots of attention, but I want originality, so I'm going to use them. My question: is one supposed to drill holes in the battery terminal posts for the helmet head screws to go into, or is the metal on the posts soft enough that the screws are simply threaded in without a pre-drilled hole? An electric drill plus highly charged battery posts seems like a dangerous combination. If I need to drill, is it sufficient to wear heavy insulated gloves and put the battery on an insulated mat, or are there going to be issues with the drill bit and motor, and the wall current that drives the drill?

Mark, just drill. Do not use too long of a screw, and not to large of a hole. The helmet heads are not all that bad. If you use some dialectric grease, or vaseline, they are not a problem.

You will regret this. I assume you are using the original 6v batteries too?

Plan on replacing the batteries every 2 years (1 year in cold climates). Even if the battery doesn't go, what happens is that the corrosion starts under the helmet head. It then ruins the screw. When you try to remove the screw it just strips off. You mangle the helmet head getting down to the screw and finally get the screw out with vice grips. By that point the battery terminal is enlarged and you have to use a bigger screw.

But - to answer your question - I don't remember drilling a hole in the original batteries. I think they might have had a small hole pre-drilled. But why wouldn't you simply drill it before you put the battery in the car? As long as you don't cross the posts with the drill you'll have no problems. If the battery hasn't been charging, there is no hydrogen gas present. Do it in a well ventilated area to be safe.

There are places to preserve originality - this, IMHO, is not one of them. :)

Go for it. Just make sure you put servicing them on your list of regular maintenance tasks.

Stainless self tapping screws....

Terry - I've run the same twin-six setup (but no helmet heads) on my MGA for 25 years with no problems, replacing the batteries like clockwork every 5 years. Regular maintenance is key, that's all. I've started using a battery minder as well, which should only help things.

Some times easier to use one of those "egg beater" manual drills..

Since you are going for originality, do it to it! I did mine a few years ago on mine and they have operated flawlessly. Like Emmanuel said, just slowly drill the hole into the post and use the correct screw to nail the head down.

Where did you find the helmet head cables?? I looked about 5 years ago and couldn't find them.

Antique Auto Battery (http://www.antiqueautobattery.com/) has them. They are expensive - $35 a piece - and they need to be very carefully soldered to the cables, which they will do for you. They also sell reasonably accurate reproductions of Lucas tar top batteries, with correct markings on the case, etc. There's some argument as to whether their battery is correct for later Mk1 MGBs, but they were as close as I could find.

Don't forget to use only non detergent oil.. :)

Maury.......my original Lucas battery had those little "Lucas" in the cell covers painted white. You're the only one I know who would want to know that................