Ignition Switch

[BigDave LM6174]

I have a 1951 Kaiser Deluxe and a 1952 Henry J Corsair Deluxe.  I really like the ignition switch on the 51 Kaiser Deluxe.  The three positions are lock, on, and off.  Nice to just turn it on and off without the key. 
Has this switch ever been seen on a Henry J ?

[Fid]

That type of switch was not ever used in the Henry J. The parts book only lists the two position. I'm sure an inovative restorer could find a way to adapt one if they wanted. I saw a '53 J that had been converted to a turn-key starter (as opposed to turning the key and pushing the button.)

[alumslot]

I'm getting ready to take a 51 HJ dash apart how do you take the ignition switch out of the dash with out the key? Also how do you get the knobs off the other switches with out breaking them.

Jim

[Fid]

If you look at the bottom of the light switch knob, and heater switch knob, you'll see there is a slot at the rear and there's a metal clip there. Reach under with a small, thin screwdriver or an ice pick, and bend the tab slightly inward toward the knob; the knob will pull off. The vent knobs (if the car is so equipped) and the choke knob are sweat onto the cables and are not removable. Rudy Phillips reproduced the knobs for many years and they look great if you need to get new ones.
Good luck.

[BigDave LM6174]

What do you mean by sweat on the knobs?  How do we change those knobs??

[Fid]

The only way to change the choke or vent knobs is bust them up (I used hack saw a couple of times) chip away the remaining plastic. I then buffed the cable end with a wire wheel to make sure all residual plastic particles were removed. I then used epoxy glue to fasten the new knobs.  Make sure Rudy still has the knobs before breaking the originals! I did mine back in 2005 and don't know if he still sells the knobs.
Original knob -


Cable after knob was crushed off/removed -


And with new knob installed -


The Vent and Choke cable ends do have a slight grove in them where the knob fastens and this goes to the top so you do have to make sure the knob is centered with that so it looks correct when re-installed.

New knobs really look nice when they're installed

In '05 the new knobs were $18 apiece and have likely gone up since but I had no problem paying as I remember when you couldn't get them at all.

[BigDave LM6174]

Is the speedometer surround k supposed to be red or yellow?

[alumslot]

Thanks Fid hopefully I won't break up the knobs.

Jim

If you look at the bottom of the light switch knob, and heater switch knob, you'll see there is a slot at the rear and there's a metal clip there. Reach under with a small, thin screwdriver or an ice pick, and bend the tab slightly inward toward the knob; the knob will pull off. The vent knobs (if the car is so equipped) and the choke knob are sweat onto the cables and are not removable. Rudy Phillips reproduced the knobs for many years and they look great if you need to new ones.
Good luck.

[Fid]

Is the speedometer surround k supposed to be red or yellow?

Originally the 'K' was red. They faded to yellow.