Hot Rods Anyone ever remove the knob from a 54 Chevy light switch?

Rewiring a 54 and want to put the original knob on the later model switch. I have an idea for pushing it off but not knowing how it was originally built I don't want to wreck it, it's not my car.

 

The end of the shaft has some ridges machined into it, then it is pressed into the plastic. So you have to figure out how to pull it off without damaging it.

I like keeping the original switch, if possible. You'll figure out why, pretty soon.

 

You could clamp it in a vice, heat the shaft and pull on the knob, eventually the metal will be hot enough to melt the plastic right where it contacts and it should pull off, but you've got to do it just right.

Easier would be to find an extra wiper switch knob and use that, they have a set screw I think.

 

Thanks guys, this is what I suspected but didn't want to find out it was molded around something like a nail head with no way to get off without destroying it. I did consider using a different knob like the radio for example but want to try this first. Anything would be better than the "billet" knob that came with it.

I know what you're saying, I went back and forth trying to decide which to use. Decided to go with later model that came with kit so the dash dimmer would be new, the 2 separate power feeds and the dome light switch. Put it in and the knob wouldn't go in completely. When I plugged the wires on one of the switch tabs pushed into the switch blocking the inner slid from going back. So I've already had to repair that .

 

The wiper knob has a 1/4" hex hole in it, doesn't it? At least they did by 1955. Not easy to make that work.

reproduction parts places might have some knobs, but I haven't looked into them for that year of car. They do for later ones.

 

Will it fit in a new switch. I thought I used the whole thing in a new switch.

 

The old switches have a round shaft with a flat, the later ones have a triangular shaft.

 

Did a couple quick searches but found nothing, the next few years seem to be a lot more popular for some reason...

 

I thought mine used a spring loaded clip. I know the knob went right on the 77 f100 headlight switch I currently run in the car

 

And if you accidentally frag it I may have a spare

 

Very easy! Drill a hole in a 1x4. Drill hole that will let the knob set in it. Chuck the shaft in your drill press. Wind the Chuck down an clamp the wood to the drill table. Start warming the shaft don’t get it hot just warm. Start Turing the press handle and easy the shaft out. Make sure you have measured the shaft. Then push the new shaft back into the 54 knob. Send it to me I’ll do it for you.
Have done many of these an not screwed one up

 

Worked perfectly, Thank you sir!