While restoring my roadster, I tried to restore the turn signal switch,
I couldn't get the adjustable valve to seal properly. The leather was
OK, but the ball valve would not seal against the bakelite housing. The
timing was way too quick. Every 3 or 4 seconds I would constantly have
to reset the switch.
Then I remembered that the switch on my coupe always would time out
while waiting at a stop light, so I would have to reset it just before
the light turned green. Then after turning the corner I would have to
manually turn it off. It would never turn off at the appropriate time.
So... I decided rather than try to get the switch on the roadster
functional, I just gutted it. Now it is an un-timed switch. When I want
to turn it on I do and it stays on until I complete the turn. Then I
turn it off.
Chuck Schaefer
56 roadster (under restoration)
61 coupe (was driveable now awaiting parts)
any code5 wrote:
>
> Bruce--
> Inside the cylindrical body of the switch is a pneumatic, spring-loaded
> piston. Air trapped above the piston resists the spring pressure, so the
> piston moves slowly and serves as a timer for the directionals. The turn
> signal continues until the piston reaches the end of its travel.
> There's a leather or fiber seal (I don't recall) around the piston. When
> it dries, it shrinks and doesn't trap air. I used a light machine oil,
> though I don't know whether that or another oil is actually recommended.
> It was an easy fix. The switch is easy to dis/reassemble if you pay
> attention when you take it apart.
> Good luck.
> John Vallely
> '59 mga
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