MTFCA Forum

See this ignition switch on my 24 touring. Anyone ever seen one like it?

No. I might guess its a 19(earliest switch design.)

They look similar to the internals of some of the early 1919/1920 switches with the die cast handles.

Its not like the 19 switch I have.

Is the ammeter a Liberty Electric? That would pretty much cinch it if it was.

Where would the liberty designation be on the meter?

Fred Allison at Ford electrical engineering department worked with Liberty Electric Company to design the first electrical equipment used. The resultant FA Starting and Lighting System components were the very first starters/generators/ammeter electrical equipment on Model T's. The Liberty ammeter was a work of art compared to the finalized production units. All of the above mentioned components in general, LOOK like the final production units but were in fact unique in how the housings were put together...for instance there was no way to adjust the generator output after final assembly as there was no access holes or dust cover.

My dad's '19 lost it's original electrical equipment during an engine rebuild. He didn't care, but it annoyed me as there is little chance of ever putting the car back to it's original state without a fair amount of hunting and I'm not in a position to put in the time or effort right now. Everything works and he his happy. If he's happy, then I'm happy.

I finally located my stash of ignition switches, both pin and tab types, all using the bent tab type contacts. What is interesting is how there are several different locations of the dimple back contacts. I wonder if the were changes due to cost or other location changes for other reasons? Interesting!