Register now to get rid of these ads!

How do I remove old headlight switch on 1960 galaxie?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 60galaxieJJ, Feb 28, 2012.

  1. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,526

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    Hey guys so im trying to replace my old headlight switch on my 60 galaxie and i cant figure out how to remove it from the dash. i have a feeling i have to use a flathead screw driver and a hammer and lightly tap the chrome/stainless ring thats on the dash around to remove it.

    just wanted to see if anyone knew for sure before i break something. :rolleyes:
     
  2. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 60,043

    squirrel
    Member

    usually you have to take out the knob by pulling it out, then push a little ****on on the switch in back, and it will pull out the rest of the way. Then push in the bezel, turn it a little ways counterclockwise. It's spring loaded and the bezel will pop off when you turn it

    This applies to Fords from the mid 50s to mid 60s, iirc
     
  3. borntrouble
    Joined: Mar 23, 2010
    Posts: 55

    borntrouble
    Member
    from NH

    There should be a ****on on the portion behind the dash that will release the knob/shaft.

    Then it'd be pretty easy to remove from there.
     
  4. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    Doing this one from memory. There should be a little spring loaded ****on on the backside of the switch, behind the dash. It is a little round ****on either on the top of bottom of the switch that you depress then you can pull out the knob and stem. Then the bezel is slotted so you can use a large screwdriver to turn it counter clockwise, loosening from the dash. The plastic part of the switch should have an electrical plug that just unplugs.

    If that isn't correct, sorry, but it is how I remember Fords of that era.

    Don

    You guys type faster than me.:D
     
  5. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,526

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    that sounds about right. when i was looking at the new one i was wondering what the hell that little ****on was for. im gonna run out and try that now!
     
  6. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    You also hold that ****on down when reinserting the stem until it clicks in place, I think.

    Don
     
  7. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 60,043

    squirrel
    Member

    You should not have to push the ****on in when you put the knob back in.
     
  8. 48 Chubby
    Joined: Apr 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,014

    48 Chubby
    Member Emeritus

    Disconnect the battery first. When you do this the head lights will come on and by the time you think about it the battery will be dead.
    Don't ask about how I know this.:eek:
     
  9. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    Yeah, the more I think about it the end of the stem has a point that over rides the spring catch so it just pushes in all the way and then is locked in place.

    Don
     
  10. sixpac
    Joined: Dec 15, 2002
    Posts: 553

    sixpac
    Member
    from Courtenay

    48 Chubby kills batteries
     
  11. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,526

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    well you were all correct but now i have a new problem the original knob bar is a different shape then the new headlight switch. should i just grill out a part of the triangle to get the knob in?
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  12. 48 Chubby
    Joined: Apr 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,014

    48 Chubby
    Member Emeritus

    NO NO NO NO! The shaft works against this little disc to operate the dome light and instrument light dimmer. Find the right shaft.
     
  13. Canus
    Joined: Apr 16, 2011
    Posts: 102

    Canus
    Member

    Sounds like either the old or new switch is wrong. Are you saying the shaft from the original switch has a different shape than the opening on the new switch? If so then something is amiss. The triangular hole in the switch shown in your photo is necessary to couple with the shaft of the knob. That is what allows you to turn the knob to dim the dash lights. DON'T drill it out.
     
  14. CGkidd
    Joined: Mar 2, 2002
    Posts: 2,924

    CGkidd
    Member

    Check with Matt over at trust you should be able to get one from him.
     
  15. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,526

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    yes, i know turning the knob dims my dash lights, id be drilling it so the new switch is in the same shape as the old one. id be turning the ▲ into D
     
  16. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,526

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    if i remember correctly the one there is the same shape. but ill run up there this saturday because i havent been there in some time now.
     
  17. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Make sure the electrical plug fits before you modify the switch.
     
  18. 48 Chubby
    Joined: Apr 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,014

    48 Chubby
    Member Emeritus

    Even if you reshape the hole to match, the shaft retainer in side the switch is made to work with a different shape. All the '60-'61 switches I seen have the triangle shaft with a pointed end and a small groove just before the point.
     
  19. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,526

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    i did and my lights work yay

    well damn i may just fab a new rod then..... ****
     
  20. mammyjammer
    Joined: May 23, 2009
    Posts: 570

    mammyjammer
    Member
    from Area 51

    I know my 58 Fairlane, 76 F-250 and I think even my 68 Bronco all have the pointed triangle knob described above....never seeen a Ford headlight knob with a ball on the end of it...hmmm....You can easily find the right shaped shaft in a wrecking yard. You may have to cut it to length
     
  21. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,526

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    theres no ball on the end it just has a rounded/pointed tip
     
  22. tommyd
    Joined: Dec 10, 2010
    Posts: 11,999

    tommyd
    Member
    from South Indy

    Sorry fella's, we've exceded our daily quota on "shaft" references. It's just starting to get a little wierd now.:D
     
  23. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 60,043

    squirrel
    Member

    You probably need to shop for parts at a better store....one that sells parts for the car you're working on, not something a year or two newer.
     
  24. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    Every one I have ever seen was triangular in shape with a groove almost at the end and then a point at the very tip. Post up a picture of the whole shaft on that knob so we can see what you are dealing with.

    Don

    Here, every one I have ever seen looks just like the one in this video:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4lnYYq7rm8
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2012
  25. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 60,043

    squirrel
    Member

    maybe it's a chevy switch...they had a D shaped rod in the 50s
     
  26. fordor41
    Joined: Jul 2, 2008
    Posts: 1,020

    fordor41
    Member

    Seems like my '59 ford had a small hole next to the bezel . inserted a wire and it releasded the switch shaft.
     
  27. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,526

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    i had them pull out the book for 1960 and they said its the same one for 60-62
     
  28. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 60,043

    squirrel
    Member

    I don't remember enough about old Fords to know...sorry.
     
  29. 48 Chubby
    Joined: Apr 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,014

    48 Chubby
    Member Emeritus

    I think you have the correct switch. You need to get the shaft.:D
     
  30. 60galaxieJJ
    Joined: Dec 24, 2009
    Posts: 1,526

    60galaxieJJ
    Member

    Damn it always getting the shaft lol
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.