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That annoying 1970 headlight switch reinstall

  • Thread starter Thread starter 70mstang
  • Start date Start date Apr 26, 2021

70mstang

Member
Jan 30, 2017
41
7
18
Apr 26, 2021
#1
  • Apr 26, 2021
  • #1
Just trying to reassemble the headlight switch on my '70, does anyone have advice for reassembling it? I can't seem to get the threads on the retainer screw to catch the switch itself. I can assemble it very easily away from the dashboard, but as soon as I include the dash, the switch is positioned too awkwardly, it just won't grab. Even without the upper dashboard and gauge cluster, I still don't seem to have enough visibility or mobility to fix this.
 
Last edited: Apr 26, 2021
D

dmck

New Member
Jan 3, 2020
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Adelaide, Australia
May 1, 2021
#2
  • May 1, 2021
  • #2
Now you know the origin of the proverb... "patience is a virtue"....

Had a similar 'blissful experience' in my '69... my neighbours are used to the bad language by now.....
 

horse sence

15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
12,221
8,072
233
Wile Coyote's stunt double
May 1, 2021
#3
  • May 1, 2021
  • #3
It usually threads right in about the second you are ready to give up ,sort of like break lines !
 
Reactions: dmck

70mstang

Member
Jan 30, 2017
41
7
18
Dec 31, 2021
#4
  • Dec 31, 2021
  • #4
I did eventually get it together, had to try it at just the right time of day when the sun would shine through the hole, I tried it with a headlamp and a work light, but the lighting angles just didn't work. Sunlight at 4pm in the summer though....
 
Reactions: 7991LXnSHO, Husky44 and manicmechanic007

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Kearney, NE
Jan 2, 2022
#5
  • Jan 2, 2022
  • #5
70mstang said:
I did eventually get it together, had to try it at just the right time of day when the sun would shine through the hole, I tried it with a headlamp and a work light, but the lighting angles just didn't work. Sunlight at 4pm in the summer though....
Click to expand...
What did you have to sacrifice to the old gods of Detroit while performing the assembly ritual at 4PM?
I find some bloody knuckles or scrapes are often enough. I skip the mead afterwards, so you might have better results.

Congrats!
 

WORTH

20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 18, 2002
2,166
44
98
Cape Cod, Ma.
Jan 4, 2022
#6
  • Jan 4, 2022
  • #6
If you can in these situations, find something that fits the threads fairly close, like a pencil, and hold the switch in place ,slide the pencil threw the threads and visually line it up straight, them pull the pencil and try to thread in the nut.

As for the previously mentioned brake lines, slide the nut back a bit on the tube, hold the tube firmly against the flare, and gently slide the nut until it touches, then move the tube around until the nut slides in a little. When it's out of alignment the nut will be away from the threads. When you get it lined up it will slide in just a bit. And it should thread in very easily.
 
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