The center pin problem was on a different truck, I just used it as an example of what can cause woes and what to look for when trying to "fix" a UVCH as opposed to replacing the hardware.

The fifty cent fail was on my truck, and it caused issues. I ultimately replaced both UVCHs, and the new stuff is a complete repair. The old UVCH fit so sloppy that it takes a coin as large and thick as a quarter to wedge it in there? Once I installed the new UVCH, it wasn't "Gee, I hope that holds" like the quarter was. It was more along the line of "Crap! I hope I never have to take that apart again, because that beach is on there."

One cardinal rule of electricity and electronics: Secure connections work, un-secure connections cause problems - sooner or later. In my career and personal exploits, I have seen countless examples of stuff fried by poor electrical connection. Just this summer... not only did my boat stall because of a loose wire, but it fried the relay that was powering that wire.

That center pin on the VC gasket was fried by a loose connection, and the whole thing needed to be replaced - along with the UVCH. I'll never say the fifty-cent mod doesn't work. Like you say, people have been using it for years. I'll just say I don't like digging in to get at the IDM, nor do I like the cost of a used IDM vs. a new UVCH.

 

The new UVCH was a new Ford OEM harness or some other flovor?

 

I've worked with OEM and the one from or friends to the far East... they both fit much better than the aged hardware.

 

In the electrical trade there is a saying: "loose wires start fires".

 

What Tug said...I know that .50 will get you home, but I tend to lose sleep if I start dreaming about future failure. If it's old enough to fail once, It will fail again somewhere else.

 

I am very happy with my Dorman replacements that ELIMINATED that connection all together. After buying them, I inspected the wiring and connector, and I was happy with the build quality. I have repaired more wiring and connectors in my life than I care to reflect on, and these did not make me feel uneasy at all after handling and inspecting them. I fully expect them to last the rest of the life of my engine/truck.