Horn/Light Switch Rod Length - 36 Banjo on 32

[glennpm]

Hi,

I have a 1936 Banjo steering wheel and horn/light switch rod. I bought this from Bob Drake many years ago. My question is what I need to do to retain the 36 horn/light button but change or modify the rod?

My steering shaft from the top of the threads to the bottom of the steering box is 41 1/2"

My horn/light rod is 43 1/8" long to the end. The groove to retain the spider is starts at 9/16" from the end and ends at 7/16", an 1/8" wide groove.

The height of the switch housing to the top of the spider is about 2 1/16"

I'm figuring that I need a rod this long:

41 1/2 + 2 1/16 + 9/16 = 44 1/8" long -0" plus about 1/2" I guess

0r 9/16" shorter if measuring from the bottom of the horn button to the start of the groove, 43 9/16" minimum

I've done a bunch of searching and can only find mention to use the '32 horn rod. Do you take the 36 and 32 apart and switch the rods in some way or what?

Thanks

[32phil]

I use the 32 rod, after it has been carefully removed from the 32 top/horn button part. (Over the years I collected several 32 rods that have damaged/broken tops but the rods are good.) I insert into the newer top and peen over the edge. A little J B Weld goes a long way here. Once the JB dries I sand it down to make sure it doesn't interfere with the wheel. There is a barb on the end of most Ford light rods and that sits on top of the steering shaft. It locates the top of the light rod in relation to the wheel/steering shaft. Some shavin' & whittlin' of the steering shaft to make sure the wheel/horn rod sit close enough without rubbing or being too far apart. Once the wheel/light rod are playing nice together... adjust the tube(1st.) and column drop(2nd.) in relation to the wheel and dashboard.

[glennpm]

Thanks Phil, I'll be looking for a '32 assembly with a good rod on it on ebay.

Glenn

[glennpm]

Hi Phil et All,

Can someone tell me what the length is of the 32 rod?

1) From underside of top to the groove?

2) the length from the under side of the top to the bottom tip?

I found this for Model A's and I may have an easier time locating one of them to use. Maybe the "B" one would work.

"Model A Light Switch Rod

Complete with the wire contacts, insulators, horn button and escutcheon. The length is measured on the tube part from the top of the tube where the tube goes into the head, down to the keeper groove. Ford used both Ford and Gemmer design. The most popular are the -B for the 28-9, and the -H for the 30-31's. NOTE: A-3616-B is used on the 7-Tooth Columns and A-3616-C is used on the 2-Tooth columns. U.S.A.
Below are shaft measurements , not light switch rod measurement. If your original light rod is missing, measure the steering shaft with a piece of string or wire.

• A-3616-B = 44-1/2"
• A-3616-C = 43"
• A-3616-F = 44-1/2"
• A-3616-G = 43"
• A-3616-H = 44"

[32phil]

I'm rebuilding another 32 steering box with a banjo wheel ....I'll post some dimensions when I get it all finalized.

[glennpm]

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Thanks Phil

[glennpm]

Okay I got My, 36 Steering wheel with light/horn rod installed this week. It is a 1936 reproduction of Bob Drake's that I bought years ago

The horn rod length was perfect for my 32 roadster and I've attached a couple of pictures to show it with the hope that someone will benefit in the future. The first is the bottom with spider mounted.

Glenn

[Terry,OH]

35 did not have a banjo 36 is the first year.

[glennpm]

Thanks Terry, I corrected my post.