1915 headlight switch hole size

[jyancho]

My car had an after market switch cut into the firewall. Someone cut a 2” x 2” hole out of the firewall completely removing the original hole. I’ve plugged the big hole but now need to bore the correct hole for the original switch.

Can someone tell me what size hole to cut and it’s location?

Thanks

Jeff

[Erik Johnson]

I posted a factory drawing for a 1917 firewall. The location for the light switch for 1915 should be the same.

See this thread - the hole is 15/16":
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1486501958

Not an expert, but I believe there were two different styles of light switches in 1915 - one style that was round and protruded and the other style that had a rectangle faceplate. However, the hole and location were probably the same.

See this thread for the two different styles of switch:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1288314179

[david_dewey]

The switch with the rectangular front plate has a round body that just fits in the firewall hole. Just wanted to make that clear, in case you thought the switch itself was rectangular--it's not!

[Original Smith]

I don't know if 1915 switches are all round or not, but the early ones are. Most likely, I assume the hole is the same diameter?

[Erik Johnson]

I believe the hole size is the same regardless if it is the round switch or the switch with the rectangle plate. As someone mentioned earlier, the body of both switches are round and are probably the same diameter.

Note the drawing that I posted above only shows the hole for the switch body, but does not show the location of the two mounting screw holes. That may have something to due to switch vendor variations. However, by the 1917 model year, I believe only switches with the rectangle plate were used.

[Altair]

Some early 15s had carbide lights and no switch or hole, if somebody changed the lights over to electric later in its life the hole could be any where and any size. Some of these cars could be ordered with no head lights and some were installed by dealers after the fact. Many were used in the daytime only.

[jyancho]

Here’s a photo of the firewall put back together. The cab control rod was much closer to the switch than the drawing. The cover plate had a flat cut into it and it now lines up nicely with the switch. I’m thinking it was built this way. Car build based on engine sn is dec 1914.

[jyancho]

Sorry, but one more question. Should the brass plate on the coil box be black paint with brass letters? I’m thinking someone polished the paint off.

Thanks for the help.

Jeff

[RajoRacer]

No paint on switch cover.

[Erik Johnson]

There should have been no need to cut anything. If that firewall is original to the car, if you strip the paint you may find the correct locations.

First photo is of Paul Iverson's unrestored 1916 touring. It is a very good example of a complete and unrestored car. Note that it has the "round" light switch but the location is the same as if it were the rectangular switch.

The second is of the unrestored 1917 "Rip Van Winkle" touring. The measurements/locations for the light switch and choke rod should be the same as 1915 and 1916. I have an unrestored 1917 roadster and the locations of the switch and carb rod plate are the same.

[Michael Peternell]

told it was a '15.