'67 style brake light switch questions

[kaptnkaos]

Hey Guys...

Yesterday, I got the brake light switch installed one my Olde Skool bus. The brake lights work now, but sometimes the don't turn off.
I am not exactly sure how this kind of switch even works.
It’s not at all like the one on my ’68 F-250, which has a plunger that opens and closes the circuit when the pedal is depressed and released.

Nothing seems to move (on the switch) when I push in the pedal or when I release it. I can't tell what it is supposed to do.. it just kinda hangs there and really doesn't seem to do anything.
Anyone got any ideas ???

Thanks,
KaptnKAOS

[adrianspeeder]

Hmmm, I donno. Does it tilt with the brake pedal?

Adrianspeeder

[fitzwell]

Pivots off the rod off the master cylinder. Ford had SEVERAL switches like that in the mid/late 60's, all with minor differences. You sure you have the right one?

i'm just sayin.....

[QC]

fitzwell's right. There were several and you almost have to lay them side by side to tell the difference.

[Calvin Gunter]

You may have it installed wrong.On my 67 the switch runs horizonal with the master cylinder push rod and the wires plug in from the side.Make sure you have one for a 67 because nothing else will work.It's another one year only deal for a 67.I've bought several that look like they will work if I put the plug in on the other side but would not work.I wish I had pictures but I don't have a digital camera.Good luck,Calvin

[ToughOldFord]

It is an unusual switch, looking at Keith's pic (below) it looks like there must be some play in the MC rod (rubber mushing maybe?) and when forward pressure is applied to the rod it pulls the switch against the end of the rod to complete the circuit in the switch.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey TOF...

Thanks for getting back to me on this
I think I may have just figured it out with that pic.
I am working on a '68 Ford B-500 bus. I am told that Ford actually used the same switch from '65-'78 on those. My switch is a little differant, it doesn't have the plastic block like that. The block is alot smaller. It is the same size as the rectangular housing with two male spade clips sticking out of the end. I assume works the same. I installed it the same as it was when I pulled the old one out. It was just hanging loose at 90 degrees to the master cylinder plunger. But then, I have to remember all of the other wacky things I have had to figure out due to the PO's... ummm ... let's say enginuity.
Mine doesn't have a bolt, like the picture. It has a shaft and cotter pin set up instead. Must just be a slightly different set up on larger rigs. It does make the brake lights on, but I'm not sure how it does that, it doesn't look like it ever makes contact with the switch plunger. If it hooks up like the picture of the '67 switch then it makes a little more sense... in the mean time, I've just disconnected the battery until I could trouble shoot it with ya all.

Thanks again,
KaptnKAOS

[Calvin Gunter]

Hey Kapton,
The plastic block is actually the the plug in in that picture.If you pull that block off you would see the two spades for the wires to plug into.But the switch does have to be parallel to the push rod.Good Luck,Calvin

[ToughOldFord]

I guess that depends on who manufactured it? You can see that mine has permanent spade connectors, no plug involved. Of course, judging by the wire connectors, it looks like it's been replaced before:

[kaptnkaos]

Hey all,

Tomorrow, I am going to remount the switch so it is parallel with the plunger and see how that works... mine has no clip, just the two male spade connectors. which is why it looks different than in the pic.

I am also going to install the new headlight harness I got from Paul (390 nut)

That might be all I get done on Olde Skool tomorrow...
I got alot of domestic stuff to do... the price a guy pays for bein' single

Take care and thanks for yer help...

KaptnKAOS