'51 Tudor Ign Switch Help

[Shoebox]

Installing new wiring in my '51 dash while it is out of car, and I'd REALLY appreciate advice on corresponding the terminal markings on my ignition switch with the labels of same on diagram that came with harness, I have attached pics of both. My switch has 3 terminals marked Battery, Acc, and Ignition, and an unmarked center terminal. The diagram shows Coil, Am, ST, and Acc, which I get. I imagine Coil might be my Ignition, so the other 2 are which? I just don't want to guess and smoke something, so any assist most appreciated. Thanks!

[paul2748]

It looks like the center terminal is marked ST (Starter ??)

[JayChicago]

Wire in the diagram shown going to "coil" / "I", goes to your switch terminal marked "IGN"

Wire in the diagram shown going to "AM" / "B", goes to your switch terminal marked "Bat"

Wire in the diagram shown going to "ST" / "S", goes to your switch terminal marked "ST". (Photo is not clear, but it appears your switch is marked "ST" with arrow pointing to the center terminal)

Wires in the diagram shown going to "ACC" / "A", go to your switch terminal marked "ACC"

[Shoebox]

Paul & Jay, thanks much, everything fell into place. You have better eyes than me as I didn't see the arrow and the ST. Just need to wire the electric wipers and the voltage drop and will be pretty much done with the dash. Thanks again.

[JayChicago]

That is a very pretty dash. Love the two-tone.
My car is a "standard", with a plain looking dash. The Deluxe got a beautiful two tone dash, the only thing I miss about not having a Deluxe model.

[Shoebox]

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Thanks Jay, I spent the last year sourcing NOS parts for the dash, including the silver mesh that covers the front, a clock, and a bunch of bezels, knobs, etc.

Quick question, I need to connect something to "switched power", would that be "Batt" terminal or "Ign" ? Thanks again!

[rotorwrench]

Accessory is switched with both the Acc position and the Ign position for running. A lot depends on how long the terminals are and whether it can be on when only the accessory position is selected.

Make sure the additional circuit is fuse protected where ever you connect it. Connecting to Bat will not be in the switched category and ST is only for intermittent starting function. These older cars still have a lot of functions that are non-switched but things like the heater, the radio, and overdrive are usually switched. That diagram looks to be one of Bauer's diagrams. They do have good diagrams for their products.

[Shoebox]

I should have provided more info. The question was regarding wiring electric gauges in the under dash panel, oil pressure, temp and voltmeter. Thanks.

[JayChicago]

I posted earlier saying connect to "ACC" terminal. But then thought about it more and went 180 degrees with my thinking. Would be interested in other's opinions on this.

Now my thinking is: I would feed the auxiliary gauge panel from the "I" terminal, so the gauges will be live while engine is cranking in the start position. I think the "ACC" terminal goes dead while key is in start position. I like to watch oil pressure while cranking.

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by JayChicago

I posted earlier saying connect to "ACC" terminal. But then thought about it more and went 180 degrees with my thinking. Would be interested in other's opinions on this.

Now my thinking is: I would feed the auxiliary gauge panel from the "I" terminal, so the gauges will be live while engine is cranking in the start position. I think the "ACC" terminal goes dead while key is in start position. I like to watch oil pressure while cranking.

Anyone?

[Gene1949]

I have a mechanical set hung under the dash (Old Skool hotrod style). My car starts usually in about 3 or 4 rolls of the motor. The oil pressure comes up after it starts. My way of thinking if it registers while cranking you might be cranking that motor way too long.

[Gene1949]

BTW, you do some quality work. Congrats!!!

[rotorwrench]

The diagrams all show O/G wire for turn signals (if so equipped) and B/G for instruments connecting to the accessory terminal. Ford diagrams do NOT show the specific connections on the main key switch so a person has to follow them through and see where they go and the ignition wire and overdrive is connected to the same terminal on the 1952 diagram. I looked at the 1951 Ford diagram on the VanPelt Sales site and all I can say is that it is hard to decipher on switch connections so a person should look at better diagrams. Bauer Electronics diagrams are usually pretty good. I only have the ones for my 1951 Mercury but they were still using the push button start so there are differences.

One thing I couldn't find on the diagram was the big blue wire with the white tracer. What does that connect to?

[Shoebox]

"One thing I couldn't find on the diagram was the big blue wire with the white tracer. What does that connect to?"



Well I CAN answer that one, it ends with one of those black 4 way splice thingy. The heater switch, Radio feed, and Turn Signal power, plugs into it.

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by Gene1949

BTW, you do some quality work. Congrats!!!

Thank you sir.

[JayChicago]

Gene1949 makes a good point. Starter on our 6 volt cars usually doesn't spin the engine fast enough to show oil pressure on the gauge. So that's not important.

Rotorwrench says diagrams show instruments getting their power from the ACC terminal. So I would suggest you take power to your auxiliary panel from there too.

[rotorwrench]

Originally Posted by Shoebox

"One thing I couldn't find on the diagram was the big blue wire with the white tracer. What does that connect to?"



Well I CAN answer that one, it ends with one of those black 4 way splice thingy. The heater switch, Radio feed, and Turn Signal power, plugs into it.

That makes sense. The optional stuff isn't in the diagrams. That set up will allow all that stuff to connect to the switch without crowding that ACC terminal with all those wires. That's a good thing to know.