Ignition Switch

[gag1025]

Does anyone make an in-dash original style ignition switch with a 4 connector set up (accessory, ignition, battery, solenoid) with a removable cylinder. All the original style ignition switch and cylinders I have seen are 3 connector set ups because the original ignition had foot start systems. My '53 Chevy truck 350 engine and 350 transmission had a universal switch in it when I bought it. I can stick with this switch but would like to find what I described above because the 3 terminal switch will not work. I need the 4th terminal for the safety neutral switch.

[mr48chev]

Chevs of the 40's shows a 4 pole switch that uses your lock cylinder and keys. others might have it at a better price but this was simple for me to look up with a photo.
https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail...Positions.html

[gag1025]

Thanks. I will call them up.

[OrrieG]

or you can add a push button start to yours.

[gag1025]

I don't want to add a push button to my truck. I want one switch on the dash. The universal switch I have will work but I would like to use a system that has a standard Chevy style ignition key. The parts from Chevs Of The 40's may well solve my problem.

[gag1025]

mr48chev, If another company makes all of these items I have yet to find them. But, I have only looked at a couple more companies and they did not. Thanks for the information. These parts look like they will do the job. As I said, I will call them tomorrow about this. I did notice that the '54 Chevy trucks have a different type mounting system. They extend the shaft through the dash and a nut holds it in place. Kind of like my universal switch. I will let you guys know what I find out tomorrow.

[gag1025]

mr48chev, I found what I need at Chevs Of The 40's as well as Obsolete Chevy. I will post photos of these 3 items needed to do this when they arrive and I have installed them to make sure they fit the hole and work. So, more to come in a week or so. The 3 items are the switch, cylinder and mounting bracket.

[mr48chev]

I looked at the 54 pickup piece first and figured out that it was totally different.

The Universal switches never stay tight in an AD switch opening and true the pushbutton which is the simple and least expensive way to do it isn't for everyone but it does make starting the truck a two step process and someone sitting in the truck has a hard time cranking the engine over if you don't intend for them to crank the engine over. I did the turn the key with the right hand, hit the pushbutton with the left for years and a couple of friends who rode with me fairly often didn't know it had the pushbutton as they didn't know how to start it when they went to drive it.

[gag1025]

I want the truck to be as close to the original as possible, BUT at the same time I want luxury mixed with power and convenience. That is why I removed the side louvered vents and cowl vent, 350 Chevy engine, 350 Turbo transmission, bucket seats, tilt steering wheel, Vintage Air, Mustang front suspension, luxury upholstery in the entire cab, 4 speaker stereo, BUT at the same time floor mount light dimmer switch, original ignition switch, stock bumpers (I did add the front and rear bumper splash aprons), stock door handles and window cranks, etc. Power and comfort with the original look. Later on I probably will add 4 link rear suspension, front torsion bar, one piece side glass, and one piece windshield and electric windows.

[mr48chev]

That's a long way from close to original. I like them modified as much or more than anyone but to me the cowl vent and side vents are a big part of what makes an AD truck. I've never had air in the past 41 years of having the truck either but will have it this time around as we have some serious road trips planned.

[gag1025]

I was talking about the body being close to original. I had an original 1950 Chevy back in my teen age days and have only negative thoughts of that car. I took the side vent out because it would be nothing more than a moisture catcher and the cowl vent would probably leak. The fact is I would never have an occasion to open it so why have it. I have no desire to drive a slow moving truck with a 6 cylinder engine ever again. Or one without AC as well. The older I get the less I like to shift gears. I would be happy if my 1979 Triumph Bonneville had an automatic transmission. It does have an electric start (which was added by my Pennsylvania buddy) because I got tired of kick starting it.

[mr48chev]

It's probably that I drove mine over 300 K with no AC and a lot of the time with no door glass but the flow through air from the cowl and side vent worked pretty good at 70 mph for miles on end. I do understand not wanting the leaks though I've lived with that for a lot of years.

[gag1025]

mr48chev, I understand. Yours would go 70 mph? I'm impressed. So you had a 70/4 AC unit (70 mph with 4 windows rolled down). I had a 55/4 AC unit. Mine would only go 70 mph down hill. I do remember that when it rained you had to get a lot of speed up going down the hill so that the windshield wipers would work going up the other side of the hill. That is why I put an electric windshield wiper system on this truck. I also remember my gear shifter rods getting stuck and having to raise the hood and pull one out to match the other one and center them up so that I could change gears. This happened to me when I took my driving test for my license. Talking about being embarrassed. I thought that I was gooing to fail because of that. I told the DMV lady that I knew how to fit the problem which I did and all she said was Son You Need To Get That Fixed. I told her I would but never did. Another story was when I tore the transmission up and worked for 3 hours trying to get it out because the top 3 bolts was torture getting out (I finally got them out) . My neighbor was a mechanic and he commented on how long it took me and told me it was a 30 minute job. When I explained about those 3 top bolts he fell over laughing. He then told me that all I had to do was pull the rubber floor mat back and take the transmission plate off and those 3 bolts were right there. Talk about being dumb and not about to ask for any help. After that it became a 30 minute job. Imagine me under the car reaching up and using a 3/8 open end wrench (or whatever size it was) and making a 1/8 inch turn each time. Think how long it it took to get all three out at that rate. I do remember every used transmission I bought (all 3) had synchronizers and I had to double clutch every time I changed gears. After a while I would tear it up and off to the junk yard for another $5 transmission. Now this was in 1958. So, I have some fond memories as well as some bad memories. I did have 2 speakers in the back. They came from the drive in theater.