1951 ignition switch retainer/locknut?

onthehunt

onthehunt

Junior Member
Hi all,
I'm trying to help a customer with a '51 coupe find the retainer for his ignition switch - it's not the bezel on the dash, but the quarter turn fastener that secures the switch.


The problem is, neither of us knows what it should look like, and from what I've read there are as many as 3 variations?


Does anyone have photos? I may have one in my parts pile but I wouldn't recognize it. Thanks!
 
Here is a pic of the lock nut and the tool that REALLY makes install much easier.
 

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tubman said:
I replaced mine a few years ago. As far as I am aware, there is only one variety for a '51
(there are others for '49' and '50's). I found the replacement on eBay. I think I kept the old one (the mounting "nubs" wear out because it's plastic). Next time I go to my shop, I'll see if I can find it and take a picture.

This? https://www.ebay.com/itm/115519215421

or maybe this : https://www.ebay.com/p/1876734639
Click to expand...


I'm not too familiar with the shoebox Fords, but does the black nut fit over the chrome one from the photo above? Or are there different nuts?
 
Some of the new repop ones had problems with it not holding due to the tabs being too short. I added some JB weld to the tabs for the fix.
 
onthehunt said:
I'm not too familiar with the shoebox Fords, but does the black nut fit over the chrome one from the photo above? Or are there different nuts?
Click to expand...

"Click" on the first picture of the second link in my post; it will show you what the whole assembly looks like. As far I know, there is only one variety of those pieces.
 
tubman said:
"Click" on the first picture of the second link in my post; it will show you what the whole assembly looks like. As far I know, there is only one variety of those pieces.
Click to expand...


I looked at that photo earlier but it didn't click for me until now...I thought the chrome piece was much larger. Thanks!
 
You cam make yourself a tool to compress the spring that holds the switch in place. I made one, consisting of a tube that is a bit shorter than the distance between the ignition switch and the fire wall and a length of threaded rod that fits inside the tube. Put a nut on the threaded rod and place the threaded rod into the tube so that the nut rests on the end of the tube. Turn the threaded rod a few turns until the rod/tube assembly just fits between the switch and the firewall. Now, turning the nut will compress the spring on the switch, making it easy to install the quarter-turn locking piece.
 
Thanks everyone for the help. Once I figured out what we were looking for, I found one in a bunch of chrome mystery pieces I'd been saving. That bezel sure is small!
 
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