The Ford Barn

mrtexas · 05-20-2015, 07:12 PM

How do I get the head light lever off? It is on the wrong length of rod.

Slowplane · 05-20-2015, 07:45 PM

I don't think you want to remove the switch handle from the rod. I've found that they are next to impossible to reattach. If it were me, I'd look for the correct length rod w/handle. repops are available from the vendors.

Jim Mason · 05-20-2015, 07:54 PM

Nice ve switch...one of the grails of ve parts...

dlshady · 05-20-2015, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Mason

Nice ve switch...one of the grails of ve parts...

Indeed. I was going to say that he should just send it to me and I'd replace it...

mrtexas · 05-20-2015, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slowplane

I don't think you want to remove the switch handle from the rod. I've found that they are next to impossible to reattach. If it were me, I'd look for the correct length rod w/handle. repops are available from the vendors.

No repop of this early 28 one. Someone has already re-attached it to the wrong length rod.

Tom Wesenberg · 05-20-2015, 08:02 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I agree, that early switch will be worth more to someone than just buying the correct one. I also agree that they are next to impossible to take apart, and you could ruin a nice early part.

mrtexas · 05-20-2015, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

It might be easier to cut and weld the tubing near the center to make it the correct length.

Then it is likely that the previous owner shortened the rod. It came with the early 28 switch lever on a gemmer 29 steering column

Jim Mason · 05-21-2015, 06:34 AM

If you want to sell let me know

Ed Pitts · 05-21-2015, 07:57 AM

I would unsolder the center wire at the bottom of the rod and see what is under the horn button in your top pic. It will show what the prior owner did in attaching the rod.
Ed

mrtexas · 05-28-2015, 05:32 PM

Looks like whoever put the early 28 lever on a 45 inch 29 gemmer rod did a nice job. Added 3/4 of an inch to the horn rod to make it fit my 28 steering column again. I agree that it looks unlikely that the switch lever could be removed and replaced easily. I bought some 5/16 round rod and drilled a hole thru it on my lathe and a little welding solved it. This bit of unobtanium is going back on my early 28 open cab pickup. Got the dash back from the platers today. Looks like new with no pits. Nice but cost me $108 for nickel plating! It was $25 to get the button and bracket plated. I didn't get the platers to polish the aluminum as I was afraid they would polish out the high off dim.

Anyone have an early light switch for sale?

Gary Karr · 05-28-2015, 07:34 PM

My E-28 light switch is stamped steel with the "ON" "OFF", "DIM" engraved on it. It was very easy to weld a new rod onto it.

mrtexas · 05-28-2015, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Karr

My E-28 light switch is stamped steel with the "ON" "OFF", "DIM" engraved on it. It was very easy to weld a new rod onto it.

Interesting. Here is what mine says on the bottom:

Old reproduction?

Gary Karr · 05-28-2015, 09:04 PM

The only pot metal or aluminum light switches that I have seen that were engraved with the ON-OFF-DIM are most likely reproduced or lettering added to the later style switches.

Ron in Quincy · 05-28-2015, 09:44 PM

The horn rod on my A1276 is stamped steel like Gary Karr's; I was fortunate that it was in good shape so all I had to do was have it re-nickeled; the A also had the very early Light Switch, the fitting on the switch that holds the light rod to the switch even had a Diamond with a "F" in the center and also a "Ford" script.

I myself have never seen a aluminum pot metal light switch head that was engraved like the stamped steel head.

Ron

dean from bozeman · 05-28-2015, 10:22 PM

All of the original "On-Off-Dim" switches that I have seen are stamped steel. The metal is a bit depressed where the words and arrows were stamped. Under the handle is a seam where the metal is bent around a "masonite" plug.

A few years back, Don Bivens (owner of A616 and A633) said that he had a pot metal On-Off-Dim. It sure would be neat to see it and compare it to this one. I wonder if it was an aftermarket or just a different vendor used by Ford.

Mr. Texas, thanks for sharing this one with us.

Ron in Quincy · 05-29-2015, 09:54 AM

mrtexas,

I have learned and now believe your light switch handle is original; according to records the polished aluminum handle was released for service in March of 1928.

Ron

Gary Karr · 05-29-2015, 10:50 AM

A question I have is that I also have a stamped steel switch, identical in every way but without the stamped wording. If I remember right, the '97 JS & RG referred to this as used for a couple of months in early '28, maybe February or March after the ON-OFF-DIM type. Then shortly after, the cast type came out. My question is why would they bring out a plain steel switch handle and then a cast aluminum handle with the ON-OFF-DIM back on it?

Mark W. · 05-29-2015, 11:17 AM

Here is a link to a much earlier post of mine - I repaired a cracked rod - took some doing, but still working great...

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...217#post624217

Ron in Quincy · 05-29-2015, 11:54 AM

Gary,

Good question, the release of the polished aluminum head also indicates the "off" engraving was dropped ? possible some were made before the release was issued?

It is like the center cross member, I have a hole and a mounting hole on each side on the front of the cross member that was never used on A1276. One time when Fred Gooding was visiting me I asked him about the unused holes? Fred said the same center cross member was used in the early AA chassis for mounting the pedal that changes the rear end ratio, in view your chassis is a passenger car it would never be used. I do not believe this information exists in the Standards that I know of?

Ron

d.j. moordigian · 05-29-2015, 01:22 PM

Ron and Gary,

I don't have the 97 Standards but i do have the 94(nothing in it) and the 2011,
which does show an Aluminum version with no "OFF".

The part that bothers me is the lettering on Mr. Texas's part looks different. I don't
have a light s/w rod here at work too compare...but I thought the way the rod was
attached to the handle was different ? It could be just age on my part..

05-20-2015, 07:12 PM	#1
mrtexas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 4,395	Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column How do I get the head light lever off? It is on the wrong length of rod. Last edited by mrtexas; 05-28-2015 at 05:37 PM.

05-20-2015, 07:45 PM	#2
Slowplane Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Sonora desert, Arizona Posts: 290	Re: Head light lever I don't think you want to remove the switch handle from the rod. I've found that they are next to impossible to reattach. If it were me, I'd look for the correct length rod w/handle. repops are available from the vendors.

05-20-2015, 07:54 PM	#3
Jim Mason Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 914	Re: Head light lever Nice ve switch...one of the grails of ve parts... __________________ www.jmodela.coffeecup.com Fwiw, jm.

05-20-2015, 08:02 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Head light lever Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I agree, that early switch will be worth more to someone than just buying the correct one. I also agree that they are next to impossible to take apart, and you could ruin a nice early part.

05-21-2015, 06:34 AM	#8
Jim Mason Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 914	Re: Head light lever If you want to sell let me know __________________ www.jmodela.coffeecup.com Fwiw, jm.

05-21-2015, 07:57 AM	#9
Ed Pitts Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Irving, Texas Posts: 598	Re: Head light lever I would unsolder the center wire at the bottom of the rod and see what is under the horn button in your top pic. It will show what the prior owner did in attaching the rod. Ed

05-28-2015, 05:32 PM	#10
mrtexas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 4,395	Re: Head light lever Looks like whoever put the early 28 lever on a 45 inch 29 gemmer rod did a nice job. Added 3/4 of an inch to the horn rod to make it fit my 28 steering column again. I agree that it looks unlikely that the switch lever could be removed and replaced easily. I bought some 5/16 round rod and drilled a hole thru it on my lathe and a little welding solved it. This bit of unobtanium is going back on my early 28 open cab pickup. Got the dash back from the platers today. Looks like new with no pits. Nice but cost me $108 for nickel plating! It was $25 to get the button and bracket plated. I didn't get the platers to polish the aluminum as I was afraid they would polish out the high off dim. Anyone have an early light switch for sale? Last edited by mrtexas; 05-28-2015 at 05:49 PM.

05-28-2015, 07:34 PM	#11
Gary Karr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,486	Re: Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column My E-28 light switch is stamped steel with the "ON" "OFF", "DIM" engraved on it. It was very easy to weld a new rod onto it.

05-28-2015, 09:04 PM	#13
Gary Karr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,486	Re: Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column The only pot metal or aluminum light switches that I have seen that were engraved with the ON-OFF-DIM are most likely reproduced or lettering added to the later style switches.

05-28-2015, 09:44 PM	#14
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column The horn rod on my A1276 is stamped steel like Gary Karr's; I was fortunate that it was in good shape so all I had to do was have it re-nickeled; the A also had the very early Light Switch, the fitting on the switch that holds the light rod to the switch even had a Diamond with a "F" in the center and also a "Ford" script. I myself have never seen a aluminum pot metal light switch head that was engraved like the stamped steel head. Ron

05-28-2015, 10:22 PM	#15
dean from bozeman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 997	Re: Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column All of the original "On-Off-Dim" switches that I have seen are stamped steel. The metal is a bit depressed where the words and arrows were stamped. Under the handle is a seam where the metal is bent around a "masonite" plug. A few years back, Don Bivens (owner of A616 and A633) said that he had a pot metal On-Off-Dim. It sure would be neat to see it and compare it to this one. I wonder if it was an aftermarket or just a different vendor used by Ford. Mr. Texas, thanks for sharing this one with us.

05-29-2015, 09:54 AM	#16
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column mrtexas, I have learned and now believe your light switch handle is original; according to records the polished aluminum handle was released for service in March of 1928. Ron

05-29-2015, 10:50 AM	#17
Gary Karr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,486	Re: Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column A question I have is that I also have a stamped steel switch, identical in every way but without the stamped wording. If I remember right, the '97 JS & RG referred to this as used for a couple of months in early '28, maybe February or March after the ON-OFF-DIM type. Then shortly after, the cast type came out. My question is why would they bring out a plain steel switch handle and then a cast aluminum handle with the ON-OFF-DIM back on it?

05-29-2015, 11:17 AM	#18
Mark W. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 342	Re: Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column Here is a link to a much earlier post of mine - I repaired a cracked rod - took some doing, but still working great... https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...217#post624217

05-29-2015, 11:54 AM	#19
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column Gary, Good question, the release of the polished aluminum head also indicates the "off" engraving was dropped ? possible some were made before the release was issued? It is like the center cross member, I have a hole and a mounting hole on each side on the front of the cross member that was never used on A1276. One time when Fred Gooding was visiting me I asked him about the unused holes? Fred said the same center cross member was used in the early AA chassis for mounting the pedal that changes the rear end ratio, in view your chassis is a passenger car it would never be used. I do not believe this information exists in the Standards that I know of? Ron

05-29-2015, 01:22 PM	#20
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: Very rare early 28 head light lever modified to fit early steering column Ron and Gary, I don't have the 97 Standards but i do have the 94(nothing in it) and the 2011, which does show an Aluminum version with no "OFF". The part that bothers me is the lettering on Mr. Texas's part looks different. I don't have a light s/w rod here at work too compare...but I thought the way the rod was attached to the handle was different ? It could be just age on my part..