The Ford Barn

51shoeboxer · 12-03-2024, 07:57 PM

The ignition switch on my 1951 Ford is held in place by spring pressure and a quarter-turn retainer. Compressing the spring is difficult. and the installation usually requires two persons: someone to push the switch enough to compress the spring, and someone to turn the quarter-turn retainer. After examining the switch and the under-dash surrounding, I came up with a tool that made the task a one-person job. The switch has a recess on the rear, among the four terminals. The recess is large enough to accept a 7/16-20 threaded rod. The tool I made consisted of a 12" threaded rod, a 7/16-20 nut, a washer, and a three-inch piece of tubing that fit over the threaded rod. The washer was between the nut and the tubing. I adjusted the nut so that the combined length of the rod-tubing tool just fit between the ignition switch and the under-dash firewall. Then, I adjusted the nut so that the tool put some pressure on the ignition switch, compressing the spring. In successive amounts, I changed the length of the tool by turning the nut. Eventually, the tool length was such that it completely compressed the spring. I then added the dash collar and the switch bezel, and finally turned the quarter-turn retainer. With the ignition switch thus installed, I removed the tool, added the four ignition leads, and started the car.

12-03-2024, 07:57 PM	#1
51shoeboxer Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: California Posts: 121	1951 Ford ignition switch installation The ignition switch on my 1951 Ford is held in place by spring pressure and a quarter-turn retainer. Compressing the spring is difficult. and the installation usually requires two persons: someone to push the switch enough to compress the spring, and someone to turn the quarter-turn retainer. After examining the switch and the under-dash surrounding, I came up with a tool that made the task a one-person job. The switch has a recess on the rear, among the four terminals. The recess is large enough to accept a 7/16-20 threaded rod. The tool I made consisted of a 12" threaded rod, a 7/16-20 nut, a washer, and a three-inch piece of tubing that fit over the threaded rod. The washer was between the nut and the tubing. I adjusted the nut so that the combined length of the rod-tubing tool just fit between the ignition switch and the under-dash firewall. Then, I adjusted the nut so that the tool put some pressure on the ignition switch, compressing the spring. In successive amounts, I changed the length of the tool by turning the nut. Eventually, the tool length was such that it completely compressed the spring. I then added the dash collar and the switch bezel, and finally turned the quarter-turn retainer. With the ignition switch thus installed, I removed the tool, added the four ignition leads, and started the car.