I think it is Ben that refurbs the ignition switches. I have an old repop that isn't worth 2 nickles anymore. I was hoping to find something I could refurb myself, but I haven't been to any swaps lately. What do you do if you have no core?

Doug,

You may not need a 26-7 switch. Any ignition switch from 1919 to 1927 will work. If you have a good faceplate, you can use the earlier switch and attach it to your later plate.

Thanks Tom. I will look closely at the faceplate to see how to do this.

Doug and Tom, restoration of, and changing out the switch assembly on, a faceplate can be done, but the issue is authenticity. The switch is held to the face plate by two hollow nickle plated barrel rivets. When they are removed and the switch is replaced, they must be replaced, and I haven't found a source for them. Maybe Mc Master-Carr? I looked in Restoration Supply's catalog and didn't see any that looked like they would work. Years ago, I found some copper split rivits in a hardware store. They would work, but they would need to be plated and when crimped on the back, wouldn't be authentic. I don't know where the guy that restores them, gets his.

When I sent my dismantled '26 faceplate to Ken Kopsky to bright nickel plate, he sent me back two nickel plated tube rivets with the plated faceplate to use in reassembling it. If he plated a bunch of them he may be able to sell you a couple. Jim Patrick

I've been lucky with the semi tubular rivets so far. My Dad left me a few of them in his miscellaneous box of hardware which I used when I put my 26 switch back together. My local hardware store also has a small assortment in their yellow plastic cabinet box section.