1963 Turn Signals

[Joel T.]

Hi All;

I'm going crazy with the turn signals on my 1963... specifically when I turn right, the signal will not automatically cancel.. Here's the background...

1) the thing never worked right from the day I got the car... when I turn left, it will cancel, will not when I turn right.

2) I've rebuilt the entire steering column; bearings, horn contact, the turn signal mechanism (that circular component which the stalk screws into), the plastic collar which screws to the back of the steering wheel, etc. Basically everything under the horn button is new....

3) I've replaced that circular component, with the straight spring and the two contact points twice.

4) If I take it all apart and put it back together, the right signal will cancel ONCE and once only... after that, I can hear clicking under the horn button... cancel left will work consistently, right will not...

I know this is not a big deal but it's just annoying that after all this, I can't get it to work correctly....

Any ideas???

Thanks!!!

Joel

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 Turn Signals

Joel;

Interesting. Mine are just the opposite. The left one won't cancel, but the right one works fine. I replaced the unit in 1976 and it worked good for a number of years, then intermittently, and now seldom. If I do a slalom, i.e. full or hard left, then an immediate right , they will work. But if I come back to center they won't. I've been manually cancelling them from left turns for a number of years to make sure they cancel. No one likes to follow a dork for blocks with his signal going. It's embarrassing with an otherwise cool car.

Stu Fox

[Gerald L.]

Re: 1963 Turn Signals

If you have the plastic canceling cam with the integral bearing sleeve then you have the 64-66 cam. It fits and 'works' but has the wrong angle and it cancels early in one direction and won't in the other (unless you over center the wheel). The right 63 is also white plastic but the sleeve is a second metal part. Look closely at the online parts house photos, ZIP or LICS eg. Side by side at home you will see the difference.

Follow the 63 Manual to the letter on setting the lower spring tension and the upper bolt torque .... making sure the hub is is never in the way. As last item set the hub space to the steering wheel, think about 80ths.

Took me 20 years fighting this to realize this small nuance.

[Jean C.]

Re: 1963 Turn Signals

I had a problem with my turn indicator assembly on my '64 and eventually replaced it with a repop that lasted about 18 months before it would not "set" when in the right turn position. Problem was that the switch for the right turn position lost tension in the spring steel part. I remedied that by buying a GM assembly at the local Chevy dealer a couple of months ago. Still a stock item although expensive. I was surprised that it is still sold by GM.
Best regards,

[Nick M.]

Re: 1963 Turn Signals

Here's another thought. I was having the same problem on my 63 which was also annoying and driving me crazy. I felt confident that the internal workings were all functioning correctly so I focused on the slide switch which as you know is mounted at the base of the column just inside of the firewall. I determined that after I had rebuilt my steering column and reassembled everything, the adjustment of the signal slide switch where it connects to the cable which exits the base of the column was off ever so slightly and as a matter of fact had just enough play in it that it would only cancel in one direction. With a bit of fine tuning of the location that the clip grabs the cable, I was able to fix the problem. Give it a whirl and good luck.

[Joel T.]

Re: 1963 Turn Signals

Guys;

Great suggestions!! I will check them all out.... Thanks!!

Joel

[Stuart F.]

Re: 1963 Turn Signals

Gee! Wouldn't be something that after 32 years I could follow these suggestions and finally get mine working right too. Thanks guys. I might have to keep both hands on the wheel for a change. That will please the wife no end.

Syi Fox