58 Corvette - E Brake Switch (alternative?)
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
58 Corvette - E Brake Switch (alternative?)
Seems I am missing the switch required on the E Brake rod the sets of the E brake light on the dash. This is certainly an almost impossible switch to find. Has anyone ever figured out an alternative to this switch that accomplishes the same result? I am not concerned about keeping it NCRS,,,,more interested in have the brake light on when the E Brake is engaged.
#2
You can find the original switches listed on ebay occasionally. I found a nos a few months ago still in box with papers. Pricey but works well, I used the bulb that flashes instead of a flasher.
#5
Team Owner
There are some threads on here about the micro-switch setup with pictures IIRC and I think I recall somebody using a C2 switch somehow. I had three of the C1 switches at one time and just sold one to a pal 'rich5962' for a judged car. I'm keeping the second one for a spare. IIRC they were optional in '58 (standard in '61) so its not a killer if you can't get it going (if I'm correct).
They are hard as all heck to find and working versions are going from $175-$275...
IIRC correctly '61/'62 used a flashing bulb for the dash warning display (available in repro); prior to that I think they had a separate external flasher...
They are hard as all heck to find and working versions are going from $175-$275...
IIRC correctly '61/'62 used a flashing bulb for the dash warning display (available in repro); prior to that I think they had a separate external flasher...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 06-17-2014 at 01:59 PM.
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
#7
Safety Car
Yes the '61/'62 used a flasher bulb, but the actual switch is the same from 58-62. Those used a separate Tunsol Flasher unit, which was mounted to the hinge pillar cross bracing using a special little bracket. Some pics of my original '59 below. The flasher can actually be repaired if not damaged. Typically, the contacts get dirty and a little cleaning with some fine sandpaper fixes 'em up. Did that on my car about 5 years ago and it's still works fine today.
The earlier cars had a different switch but the same flasher. The really early 6v cars used a different flasher rated for 6 volts on the 6 cylinder cars.
Now for the switch.......I have been told by a reliable source that there is a impending reproduction that will be available. Allegedly it's being repro'd by a company in CA that used to be in MD.
I have no idea what the cost or availability witll be, but stay tuned.
Rich
The earlier cars had a different switch but the same flasher. The really early 6v cars used a different flasher rated for 6 volts on the 6 cylinder cars.
Now for the switch.......I have been told by a reliable source that there is a impending reproduction that will be available. Allegedly it's being repro'd by a company in CA that used to be in MD.
I have no idea what the cost or availability witll be, but stay tuned.
Rich
#8
Safety Car
If you find a original switch and it's not working, I've repaired a few before if the mechanism isn't totally broken. They can come apart to clean contacts etc. BTW fellow member 3310vette (Joe M) has a nice process too.
Last year at Carlisle a father & son from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico asked me about one I had for sale on the bench. They had their '59 flasher switch with them and asked how to repair it. The brass tab was worn out and had a hole in it. I told them how to fix it by silver soldering a "filler" piece to the worn area and readjusting the tab.
They handed it back to me and kindly asked me to repair theirs for them when I got home. I felt a little uneasy that they were giving a total stranger a rare and valuable part to take.
So when I got home I took it apart, fixed it, got Paypal'd from the son, and shipped it back to them. They were happy.
Rich
Last year at Carlisle a father & son from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico asked me about one I had for sale on the bench. They had their '59 flasher switch with them and asked how to repair it. The brass tab was worn out and had a hole in it. I told them how to fix it by silver soldering a "filler" piece to the worn area and readjusting the tab.
They handed it back to me and kindly asked me to repair theirs for them when I got home. I felt a little uneasy that they were giving a total stranger a rare and valuable part to take.
So when I got home I took it apart, fixed it, got Paypal'd from the son, and shipped it back to them. They were happy.
Rich
Last edited by rich5962; 06-22-2014 at 07:12 AM.
#9
How does e-brake switch dis-assemble?
rich - great photos. I will use your silver solder trick but how does the switch come apart?
If you find a original switch and it's not working, I've repaired a few before if the mechanism isn't totally broken. They can come apart to clean contacts etc. BTW fellow member 3310vette (Joe M) has a nice process too.
Last year at Carlisle a father & son from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico asked me about one I had for sale on the bench. They had their '59 flasher switch with them and asked how to repair it. The brass tab was worn out and had a hole in it. I told them how to fix it by silver soldering a "filler" piece to the worn area and readjusting the tab.
They handed it back to me and kindly asked me to repair theirs for them when I got home. I felt a little uneasy that they were giving a total stranger a rare and valuable part to take.
So when I got home I took it apart, fixed it, got Paypal'd from the son, and shipped it back to them. They were happy.
Rich
Last year at Carlisle a father & son from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico asked me about one I had for sale on the bench. They had their '59 flasher switch with them and asked how to repair it. The brass tab was worn out and had a hole in it. I told them how to fix it by silver soldering a "filler" piece to the worn area and readjusting the tab.
They handed it back to me and kindly asked me to repair theirs for them when I got home. I felt a little uneasy that they were giving a total stranger a rare and valuable part to take.
So when I got home I took it apart, fixed it, got Paypal'd from the son, and shipped it back to them. They were happy.
Rich
#11
Safety Car
You cannot easily remove the flange as it is a swedged rivet assembly. The silver solder repairs I usually make are only to the flat springplate portion. That's where most wear occurs.
Rich