1957 Thunderbird light switch

Patrick brophy

Senior Member
Would anyone have a color photo of a correct wiring configuration for a 1957 Thunderbird ignition switch and the light switch.
I would have to assume most 1957 Fords would have the same switch.
I have a Fomoco wiring manual ,and a four page blown up diagram, but both the manual and the blown up diagram differ.
I have a new old stock wiring harness that had no paper work. It is the correct harness for the car per the part number on it.
I have most of the dash done but I am running into a few issues with the two switches.
 
Here's an online '57 Ford / Thunderbird wiring diagram.
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring%20diagrams/Ford/MWire5765-195.jpg

and a link to more '57 to '64 Ford wiring diagrams...
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/tOCMP/wiring/5765wiring diagrams/fordindex.htm

I have one of these laminated diagrams (somewhere)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/372644549312?hash=item56c35892c0:g:icMAAOSwgyxWXcek

and also a late build '57 Bird with the dashboard out. Except for the radio it seems to be in fairly original condition. If you need closeup photos of the back of those switches with the wiring still attached just ask.

Which specific wires and connections do you have questions about?
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OK I got the two switch's figured out, but I have a few more questions now that MERCMAN FROM OZ was good enough to do some good photo work.
I can see that you have two different bulb sockets in the dash. As do I, but I only have two that are different from the rest. The two odd ball lights are just used for lighting the dash, not warning lights etc. They use a different type and size bulb.
Most of mine are the black plastic as I see here, and the two odd ones are like most of yours.
There is no indications where the two odd one are supposed to go,and they are marked in the same manner as the rest, blue with a white stripe.
Are you aware of any purpose for the two different light sockets. This is a new wire harness.
Does it make a difference which post on the temp and fuel gauge the black and red, and the black and yellow go to? There is what appears to be a brass strap between the two posts on each gauge.
 
All the lamp sockets on this dash cluster are metal except the plastic Oil and Temp sockets.
The two most outboard panel lamp sockets (yellow circles in photo 1) have a wider opening where the wire goes in and an extended base for the bulb. (photo 2)

All the rest of the sockets appear the same as the 'shallow' version. Photo 3
I didn't notice different light bulb styles or look for their numbers, but I can.

Photos 4 and 5, the back side of the Fuel and Temp gauges.

....
Are you aware of any purpose for the two different light sockets. This is a new wire harness.
Does it make a difference which post on the temp and fuel gauge the black and red, and the black and yellow go to? There is what appears to be a brass strap between the two posts on each gauge.
Panel light socket differences? Just the two with extended bases on the outboard sides.
I don't believe the gauges are polarity sensitive but given a choice, when these are removed for painting and inspection, I'll reconnect them the way they are now.
Not sure of the function of the thin flat strap between the terminals but it was there before and will stay as-is on these. I suspect it might be an electrical insulator. ?

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