Ignition Switch Removal / Installation Tips?

[cjsteak]

You guys ever have one of those days... [}]

I pulled out all the plugs in my car for the first time and they all looked a bit lean, but zero rust and zero oil on any of them. I thought yay! Time for a good luck dance... I oiled up all the cylinders with the plugs out and was looking forward to cranking it a few times just to get the cylinders wet again...

Step 2. Insert key and promptly push ignition switch through dash. LOL [)]

I decided it was time to call it a night before I did anything stupid.

It should be obvious which project i'll be tackling tomorrow morning.

Do any of you guys have any tips on popping an ignition switch out of an old Commander, or possibly how to put it back in? I think the switch is similiar to the '65 Mustang I used to have where you push the switch up against the dash while spinning the bezel? I was thinking I should remove the ignition switch first because I was having a real hard time turning it for some reason. I think it would be best if I cleaned and serviced it away from the dash. The only issue is it's tight, sharp and rusty under there... and the wires don't seem long enough for it to dangle under the dash?

I also noticed that there was a strange, almost fiber optic looking light that is kind of attached to the igntion switch. Was this on all Commanders, and where would the light come out from? The light is housed in a wierd little round ball about half the size of a marble.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!



Chris Salisbury
Hutto/Austin, TX

1958 Commander Starlight Hardtop

[StudeRich]

Chris; The most likely reason the switch was out, is that one of the "ears" on the chrome bezel is broken off, so before you can begin this install you have to buy a new bezel from a Studebaker Vendor.

The ignition switch should have a coil spring and a plastic ring around it for the light behind the dash. You position the switch at 4:00 and with the bezel inserted in it's orientation notch in the dash, then while holding the bezel in place, push in on the switch and turn it to 3:00 locking it in place.

The light is no mystery, it's actually a half round metal tube light shield that holds the socket & bulb. and lights the ring which shines the light through a hole in the bezel. It is connected to the instrument light switch.

(added 5:35 PM) YES! good catch Mike, NEVER mess around under the dash, until you disconnect the Positive Batt. cable!

Studebakers (and all older cars) have no fuseable link, circuit breaker or fuse on the main power from the solenoid (Batt.) to the Ampmeter when equipped, or the Ignition switch.

I put a mini in-line fuse holder that takes a 35 or 40 AMP, 2 legged plastic fuse like newer cars, about 2 inches from the solenoid in the main power wire to prevent melted harnesses and WORSE!
These are easy to replace and do not require "surgery" to change like a fuseable link.

I keep some fuses in the glove box with the spare Oil Guage flex hose.

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[rockne10]

Chris,
You may find it easier to get behind the dash and push the switch forward while turning the bezel from the dash side counterclockwise. Do this AFTER you have disconneted the battery.

Brad Johnson
Pine Grove Mills, Pa.
'33 Rockne 10, '51 Commander Starlight, '53 Commander Starlight