need a little help with misc. items...

markyb

markyb

Senior Member
....when I operate the headlight lever on my '31 the bail that holds the light switch to the steering column falls off and then the switch drops off. Do I need more of a "point" in the locking part of the bail to hold it on better? maybe something is binding that is causing me to use too much force to switch the lights on and that knocks the bail off?

Another item that someone might be able to guide me with, I have my hood off from a recent engine replacement and oiled the hinge rods with WD40 since I could see rust forming on them, I was thinking of coating them with grease or anti-sieze, but figured with a warm motor that it might flow all over the place. any thoughts on what to preserve the rod/hinge with? sooner or later that rust will be eating up the paint job on the outside of the hood.
 

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On the bail, my guess is that something is catching on the inside and forceably rotating the assembly. This in turn causes the bail to pop off and the switch to fall out. On the hinge rod, a light coat of thin oil like 3n1 or something close will preserve the rod and prevent rusting.

Mike
 
I forgot to mention that occasionally when I operate the lights the horn briefly activates, maybe for a second as i'm moving the lever, something needs cleaning, adjustment? I looked down in the back side of the switch where it engages withe the bottom end of the lever and everything looks in order...
 
Mark,
I use wood dowels for hood hinge pins. I soak them in LINSEED oil before installing. Plenty strong, NO rusting, & NO squeeking. Bill W.
 
Looks like the bail is on backwards, should be on the bottom of the switch.
Also the switch looks like it should go up about 3/8" more into the bottom
of the steering gear. There is a slot that keeps the switch from rotating.

Bob
 
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Good eye Bob. My call also. When installed properly use a screwdriver to set bail. It is a tight fit. Tony
 
Does the switch orientation look correct? my photo is taken from the topside. Should it be rotated 180degrees? I just tried fiddling with it and probably woke up a few neighbors when the horn sounded. Oops...

I flipped the bail lever around, but realized that the bottom side of the switch is angled. Is my bail hooking at the proper location? i can push the switch in another 1/2" and when I rotate it there's nothing stopping it from turning.
The bail has that much slack, when connected it lets the switch drop out the half -inch that you see in the picture
I'm going to disconnect the battery and look it over a little more, That horn sure is loud with my left ear hangin' over it...
 
You may have the early switch, which is shorter, and the later bail.
You can see in the picture I stole from Tom W that the one on the
left is shorter than the right one
 

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Bye the way, great idea Bill on the wood dowels, the oil will keep the wood from soaking up any water and furthering the rust inside the hood hinges. I don't plan on driving in the rain, although I'm headed to the Old Car Festival in Dearborn, Mich in about three weeks and the car will be outside for a few days straight.

I'm slowly trying to add rust preventative fixes innconspicuously, like adding undercoating inside the headlight bar mounting holes when I had that off recently.
 
Bob C said:
You may have the early switch, which is shorter, and the later bail.
Click to expand...

I'll measure, I think from what you guys are saying is that the bail comes up from the bottom and hooks onto the nose of the switch body, not the opening where the wires exit? that would make a tighter fit for sure. I'll try this in the morning, thanks to all for ideas
 
The bail hooks on the switch cover,on the under side just behind where the wires exit. Some times the bail may need to be adjusted for length to. Snap into place properly.The upper part of switch assy must fit into slot on lower side of lower plate to prevent it from turning.As for the hinge rods,you can get SS ones.Lube the hinges with 3 in 1 oil. Don't use WD-40.
 
I got it on correct this morning, and no more horn sounds when I turn on the lights! My Dad owned the car for ten years and had it on that way with no trouble....I saw the curved opening in the switch body and it looked like a good home for the bail. I got it on tight now, onward....

I have a buddy in a business that uses a lot of stainless steel, that was his first thought when I mentioned the issue, good call, I thought I might have to borrow linseed oil from Bill.

Thanks again to all
 
Stainless hood hinges are best.
From memory 1/4" for the top and 3/16" for the sides. Stainless rod is reasonably priced. Cut the rod to match your originals. Some suppliers stock stainless hinges, again from memory, Mikes Affordable.
 
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