Bomba_MC

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.

lqpappy

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.

vettepoor

Bomba - I used a micro switch commonly found at electronics store with the flashing 257 bulb. Works great!

chris ritchie

How did you mount the microswitch?

Frankie the Fink

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...

Bomba_MC

Can I ask how you had it mounted? Possibly show some pics? I am very interested!!!

rich5962

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

rich5962

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

jamesofria

rich - great photos. I will use your silver solder trick but how does the switch come apart?

MaineDoc

For those who are members of NCRS there is a related article in the latest issue of Corvette Restorer.

rich5962

You can open the switch to get at the contacts. There are tabs on the end that can be bent back to open it. Sometimes a simple cleaning of the internal contacts will be in order.

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