1956 headlight switch replacement

[Tom Brace]

It's time to replace the headlight switch due to the rheostats wearing out. I have a replacement switch, but do not see what holds the original switch in place behind the dash ? I see the spring loaded button to release the switch knob & shaft from the switch, but not what is holding the switch body in place. Can someone clue me in ? Thanks.

[Roy B.]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement

It's the chrome face after you remove the light rod using a flat screw driver turning left removes it from the switch

[greg pic 39571]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement

after you pull out the knob,by pressing the spring under the dash there is a chrome retainer on the front of the dash that you can turn out counterclockwise.

[Tom Brace]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement

Thanks guys, I thought that was simply a bezel, not a locking thing to hold the switch body in place. Best regards, Tom

[James F.]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement-Tom

Tom, Between the back of the fiberglass dash panel and the headllight switch boss
that the trim piece screws into is a small circular bushing with a hole in it. The trim piece fits through this bushing. The role of the bushing is to angle the switch slightly to on side so the headlight switch shaft comes out more or less at a straight "Pull" relative to the dash opening which is slightly curved on the exterior side corner. These little bushings are almost always lost because when the switch is removed and the face trim piece is pulled out, the bushing falls off and onto the bottom of the dash"|U" support channel They are never seen Generally these little bushings are best made from thick wall plastic or metal tubing since most people don't have any idea they were ever there. When the headlight switch is pulled oall athe way out the bushing not being behind the dash will be evident by the angle of the headlight switch rod. Hope some of this is clear! Regards,

[Tom Brace]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement-Tom

Jim,

I will watch for this bushing and make sure I don't drop it onto the bottom of the dash. I can imagine how that would easily happen if I was unaware it was there. I am sure it must be there, as this is the original switch I am now replacing. I bought the Vette 33 years ago from the first owner, and the car is an original 46,000 mile survivor.

Thanks for the info. Regards, Tom

[Rob Dame]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement-Tom

Tom, when I replaced the switch in my car I used a little dum-dum to hold the spacer to the switch as it was being installed. Rob

[Tom Brace]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement-Tom

Rob,

Having a third hand hold the spacer in place is a great idea, thanks, Tom

[John H.]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement-Tom

Tom -

In '57, that spacer between the switch and the back of the instrument panel was replaced by this one, which is a one-year-only part; it re-defines "rare and hard to find".

[Tom Brace]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement-Tom

Wow, thanks for sharing the picture. If I had ever stumbled on one of these at a car show flea market, I never would have had a clue what it was. I doubt I would not be alone not knowing.

[John H.]

Re: 1956 headlight switch replacement-Tom

Tom -

Ten years ago when I restored my '57, that spacer was "missing" when I took the car apart, and it took a year to locate another one. When I put it back together, I found the "missing" spacer sitting between the upturned flanges in the lower instrument panel reinforcement, where it had fallen when a previous owner removed the switch.