Thread: Headlight switch HEADACHE...

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Hi all! I bought a GM headlight switch for my '38 Ford Pickup but the darn stock hole to the left of the gauges (I think it was for the dash starter switch???) is way too big. The switch swims around in the hole so I need some sort of attractive backing plate for the switch nut. Any ideas? I don't want to just use some big 'ol washer as that will look like shi%. Thanks, Dave M.

I' might could come up with some ideas if i had a pic of the dash where you are mounting it, and the switch itself....

How about a headlight switch bezel like this one on eBay?
eBay Motors: 69-70 MUSTANG HEADLIGHT SWITCH KNOB AND BEZEL (item 140206888575 end time Feb-19-08 12:45:47 PST)

Might be able to snag one at the junkyard.

Pat

Pat, thanks. I'm trying to stay with a very clean billet look at present. The dash is already painted so welding in a plate is not possible. I keep thinking there must be a chrome or polished alum. plate of some sort that would add, not detract. I guess I could have someone turn a chunk of alum. on a lathe... I think I need something like those cheap chrome rings you put on your under sink water pipe to hide the hole in the sheetrock where the water line comes through. BUT, smaller and not cheap like those... Keep briainstormin!

I used an aluminum fender type washer, just oversized by about an 1/8 ", that I jigged and then drilled out to fill an oversized hole on my dash after replacing a switch. After polishing and buffing it looked like a billet polished store bought piece of trim.

Hdtrpr...I think you might have a better idea of having someone turn it on a lathe. Make a thin wall plug the size of the existing hole with a flange on the outside. Turn the ID to the size of the new switch. Thread the bottom of the OD so you can screw it in from the back. Great idea. Too bad they don't make something the right size. I used to work in a machine shop years ago. Too bad I'm no longer there or I would have turned it for you. Good luck!

Pat

Thanks to all of you! Got some good ideas and with four Aspirin, my headache is starting to go away. Take care!!