I know this seems like a simple procedure. I've done it a ton of times on other old cars, even old Fords. I can't get the ignition switch bezel to unscrew from the ignition switch to take it out! I removed the key cylinder and have gotten behind the ignition switch to push it out from behind to relieve the pressure on the bezel, but it will NOT turn. Even with heavy pressure from the dreaded Vice Grips I still can't get it to turn. I am starting to wonder if I am missing another release pin or something? Or, did the previous owner epoxy it on? Any help would be appreciated. (The reason that I am taking it off is that the black with green stripes wire attached to the back of the ignition switch fried and I am trying to replace the entire ignition switch as well as trace the source of the short) My car is a full custom and so I might replace the whole ignition switch with a push ****on remote starter anyway.
Have you tried putting a screw driver inside it and trying to turn it that way? By the way, I like your Fairlane. Did you customize it or was it like that when you bought it? Please post more pics. I have its cousin the '60 Edsel Ranger. Are you bringing it to the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville next month?
I tried turning the bezel from the inside notches but it still didn't turn. I love the 60 Edsel. What a crazy factory custom. I designed the car from scratch and the fabrication and paint was done by Cody Burghdorf last year. There are a lot of misc. photos of it on this board and I don't want to bore people with more photos of it. Just search 1960 Ford Spaceliner and you will see some. I'm not trying to be rude, I just don't want to come off as "showing off" by posting too many photos. If you want to see a video of it just click on this YouTube link: I would like to see a photo of your Edsel too.
Are you in southern Indiana? If you ever bring it to the Louisville area let me know. Was it built here? Are those '59 Caddy tail lights? I'll do a search here for more info. Here's my Edsel pics....
I remember seeing a couple pictures of this car posted here a month or so ago. You were the guy that buys his Rain-X and tail light bulbs at a case load discount. If this car was any slicker, you wouldn't be able to capture a photo of it!
Beautiful car! It looks like the video is for a truck and the Method will work for those and pre 60 cars. Look on the face of the bezel on your car. There is a small hole there where you neet to stick a fine nail or sturdy paper clip to make it release. Wish I could remember and tell you more as we did this on my Dads car about 45 years ago.
I was going to try and then I thought...wait a minute, I'll just use airplane canopies instead. That way I can always buy a replacement off the shelf. Thanks for the compliment.
Thanks for the video. I did all this already. It must just be stuck on from 56 years of being on there.
Spaghetti anyone? I think I found my original problem that didn't have anything to do with the ignition switch. When I converted the car from generator to alternator last year I pulled the generator light socket out of the dash. Last week I replaced several dash lights and just took out the bulb in the generator light socket. Well, it was that wire that was fried. By just taking the bulb out, the positive lead was all the way out of the socket and could have shorted out on anything metal behind the dash and fried the wire all the way back to the ignition switch. Now I am trying to take all the original black tape off the wiring harness so that I can replace the wire (which illuminates all the other dash lights) This will NOT be a fun project. Here is a photo of where I am so far.....ugh....
The Jalopy Journal
