The Ford Barn

hazelhoff · 08-28-2021, 07:57 AM

Now that I have an original instrument panel AND an original elektrolock, they still won’t fit. I am referring to the 28/29 Model A stuff.
The cup just isn’t deep enough to be able to fit the little screws on the sides into the lock. After filing down the bosses in the lock housing, I was able to press the lock into the dash panel cup, but as said not deep enough.
Anybody else encounter this issue ? Any smart tricks ?

Henk

Joop · 08-28-2021, 08:16 AM

Can you post some pictures

ericr · 08-28-2021, 01:27 PM

I have had tight fits and like you ended up gently filing down the pot metal of the switch head. I hate to ask but are you completely confident the instrument panel is truly original? The repros are hard to distinguish from the originals. You might end up having to exchange switch heads with one of the guys that restores Electrolocks. Or send your head to him to dissasemble and remove some metal on the edge of the head. I know of no easy way to increase the depth of the cup fastened onto the panel unless you were willing to remove some of the metal off of the flange of the cup where it is fastened onto the panel.

I assume you were able to either mike the depth/locations of the respective parts involved, including the tiny screw holes on the head or use Prussian Blue to see where the parts bottom out on the cup.

Tom Wesenberg · 08-28-2021, 06:58 PM

The repro instrument panels I've seen have the lower holes wrong, so you're lucky to get 3 screws only installed.
The correct original popout switch for 28-9 does not have a seperate rear cover like the later popout.

hazelhoff · 09-02-2021, 02:56 PM

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Thanks all. Problem solved ! I have a rebuilt po-out from Bert’s and a replated instrument panel from Dan Bixby. No matter the parts being original, there was a very tight fit ! Presumably caused by a too enthousiast plater adding a lit of nickle. Had to Dremel the little slots upward a little, just some 1/64 “ ….

08-28-2021, 07:57 AM	#1
hazelhoff Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 387	Bad fit elektrolock Now that I have an original instrument panel AND an original elektrolock, they still won’t fit. I am referring to the 28/29 Model A stuff. The cup just isn’t deep enough to be able to fit the little screws on the sides into the lock. After filing down the bosses in the lock housing, I was able to press the lock into the dash panel cup, but as said not deep enough. Anybody else encounter this issue ? Any smart tricks ? Henk __________________ You don’t own a Model A ... it owns you !

08-28-2021, 08:16 AM	#2
Joop Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 2,950	Re: Bad fit elektrolock Can you post some pictures

08-28-2021, 01:27 PM	#3
ericr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,542	Re: Bad fit elektrolock I have had tight fits and like you ended up gently filing down the pot metal of the switch head. I hate to ask but are you completely confident the instrument panel is truly original? The repros are hard to distinguish from the originals. You might end up having to exchange switch heads with one of the guys that restores Electrolocks. Or send your head to him to dissasemble and remove some metal on the edge of the head. I know of no easy way to increase the depth of the cup fastened onto the panel unless you were willing to remove some of the metal off of the flange of the cup where it is fastened onto the panel. I assume you were able to either mike the depth/locations of the respective parts involved, including the tiny screw holes on the head or use Prussian Blue to see where the parts bottom out on the cup.

08-28-2021, 06:58 PM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Bad fit elektrolock The repro instrument panels I've seen have the lower holes wrong, so you're lucky to get 3 screws only installed. The correct original popout switch for 28-9 does not have a seperate rear cover like the later popout.

09-02-2021, 02:56 PM	#5
hazelhoff Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 387	Re: Bad fit elektrolock Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks all. Problem solved ! I have a rebuilt po-out from Bert’s and a replated instrument panel from Dan Bixby. No matter the parts being original, there was a very tight fit ! Presumably caused by a too enthousiast plater adding a lit of nickle. Had to Dremel the little slots upward a little, just some 1/64 “ …. __________________ You don’t own a Model A ... it owns you !