36 ford,what is this

was checking out a 3w coupe a friend has just imported and we see this electrical part attached to the steering box,we have no idea what it does or why its there

 

Light switch.

 

Right, there is a rod attached to the horn button that goes down through the shaft and operates the switch.

 

Mabet it cancels the turn signal ?

 

good one!

 

Hi low beam switch

 

it converts the electricity from left hand to right hand electricity

 

Whatever you do, do not touch that! It is imperative that you return that vehicle to its country of origin as soon as possible. It would be best if you do not discuss this matter with anyone further. Even though the car is 1936, I believe that part is still classified. All I can tell you is that it is an early Enigma data transfer capsule.

 

Not sure, but I think there's a split pin missing below the nut on the pitman-arm shaft..

 

if none of you boys bid on stuff on ebay then we will happily take what you clearly dont want,

 

Yup! Good 'ol Henry Ford electrical control switch. Operated by a rod down the center of the steering column.

Frank

 

Could be the flux capacitor

 

I've had some good smiles,with the answers here. Perhaps the easiest way to find out what it does,is the disconnect it,and see what stops working

 

That sounds like something you would do Boyd!

 

Boyd,

Trust Fab32. He's right on the money and his answer is not a joke.

Tubman

 

I had a 36 that had a steering lock on the column.(looked factory). inserted a key, and flipped a toggle switch to lock. possible that it's part of the system? my mind is a little foggy as it was around 1970 when I owned the ford.

 

JimA, Flatjack & Fab32 are all correct. it is the headlight and horn switch
when you turn the plastic piece in the middle of the steering wheel it turns the headlight on and off and high beem. when you push the horn button the rod makes a conection and honks the horn. I dissasembled mine and turned it into a blinker switch in the center of my steering wheel.

 

I smell smoke!

 

Hope that smoke doesn't escape. It's a bitch to get back in!!

 

Well I guess it didn't pass the smoke test then.

 

Confirmed as the horn and light switch...

 

Without electricty down tere, it would be hard to ignite the gear oil leaking out of the steering box.

 

I've had a bunch of early Fords, and amazingly, never had any problem with them. They sure seen to be a major problem waiting to happen when you consider the application.

 

That looks like a very early style exaggertor, those things are as rare as shit, you should fetch big bucks for that puppy on Ebay!!