C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

[Gary Cederman]

[Kenneth S.]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

Mine are threaded. Actually the threads are in the metal frame which is behind the fiberglass exterior of the door jam. If your threads are gone, it's possible that a previous owner drilled out the holes to install aftermarket switches, ugh.

[Gary Cederman]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

Ken,

Thanks for the response.

I hope that you are wrong about someone drilling out the threaded part of the holes. Any suggestions on what to do if they did?

I was thinking of just tapping the hole but, if it is only fiberglass then it probably will not hold too well.

Thanks,
Gary

[Steve Miller]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

There is a tool that places a threaded insert, similar to a rivit, into thin surfaces such as sheet metal, fiberglass, etc. We use them all the time on our Busch North stock car. They leave a small head around the edge of the insert opening. Your switch might cover this edge up if installed properly. They can be found at alot of automotive parts or hardware supply houses. Body shops also use them for mounting trailering type mirrors on truck doors. Hope this helps

Steve

[Gary Cederman]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

Steve,

Thanks for the info. I will look into it!

Gary

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

Gary, It is possible that you have the wrong switch. I lost one of mine installing it into the door jam on my 63 and after purchasing a new switch I discovered the thread size was larger on the new one. I was lucky to find the old switch with a magnet and a little patience. The old switch was smaller in thread size than the newer one and I installed the old switch without any problems. I think its a pipe thread that is used but I'm not sure about that.

[Gary Cederman]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

Tim,

I just purchased these switched from LI Corvette. They are suppose to be for 63-67. They size is 3/8" x 24. Does anyone know if this is correct?

I don't remember any switches being on the car five years ago when I start dis-assemblying it. I will look through my old parts box to see.

Thanks for the heads-up. I don't think I will do any tapping until I find out more.

Gary

[John H.]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

The jamb switches are self-tapping; they were originally driven into a plain drilled hole, and tapped their own threads as they were driven.

[John Spencer]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

Gary if your door jam has been drilled or stripped - a product called MarineTex will fix it. Simply mix a small protion, fill your current hole and redrill it. It is strong enough to hold threads if you run a tap through it.

[Robert C.]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

Remember one thing, the switch grounds on the metal its screwed in to (it only has one pos. wire). If the switch hole has been enlarged, I would find a nut to fit the threads and use a star washer.

[Gary Cederman]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

Bob,

I don't see any way you can get a nut and washer on the back side of the pillar. The front side is fiberglass so, the only way I can get the ground connection is if I can tapped the pillar. I assume that if the switches I have (3/8" x 24) are too lager for normal replacement then they may work if I need to enlarge the hole so that I can tap the metal area of the pillars.

Does anyone know if these switches are too large?

I do like some of the other ideas of fixing this problem.

Thanks to everyone that have given me input. Sharing your thoughts and ideas is really very helpful.

Gary

[Mike McKown]

Re: C2 ('63): Courtesy light switch connection.

Gary:

First design '63 door switches were 5/16th's. Second design '63 thru '67 were 3/8th's.

Mike