| Gary M. | -- 02-23-2011 @ 4:06 PM |
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Was the light switch control in the center of the steering wheel planned that way or was it just a way to use the old spark control shaft of years earlier ?
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| Stroker | -- 02-23-2011 @ 4:59 PM |
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Gary: I believe it was designed that way. Ford has used the steering column for various purposes throughout the years, beginning with the Model T, which had an outer jacket that contained the throttle and spark controls. Placing the light switch at the bottom of the steering box allowed for a very robust switch design, thereby eliminating the complexity of having to use relays to control the high amperage required to control headlights. If the same switch was installed behind the dash, it would have taken up a lot of room, and had a lot of BIG wires connected to it. Ford finally succumbed to the use of the more common (industry wise), relay in 1940. Of course, the steering column (actually the hollow steering shaft) continued to contain the ground wire to control the horn, and in later years, even the horn used a relay.
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| supereal | -- 02-24-2011 @ 10:35 AM |
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Placing the switch at the bottom of the steering column was not one of Ford's "better ideas", as they nearly always became soaked with oil from the steering box, causing problems. We usually brazed a tube onto the bottom plate of the column that was long enough to extend above the oil level in the box to relieve the problem, as the seal was ineffective.
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| Gary M. | -- 02-24-2011 @ 5:18 PM |
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When I replaced the tibe and plate on my 39 standard with NOS ,I formed a block of epoxy around the same place where the old tube cracked to strengthen it . So far no leaks..
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