Restore Original Light & Ignition Switches - Has Anyone Done It?

[AL Farmall Boy]

This crossed my mind when ordering some new aftermarket switches. This part is something that I ALWAYS have to replace when restoring a tractor. Not so much on the older Delco light switches, but always on the later Indak switches that were used in the 1960s through 1979 on the IH Farmall Cub.

Does anyone out there restore original light or ignition switches? I really would like to learn to restore them myself so it would make it worth it and so I could learn something new. I'm sure the new aftermarket ones aren't as good of a quality anyways. Looking for info on restoring the 3 types as found on a Farmall Cub tractor.....and other models of course. Wanting to learn how to open and fix the:

• 3 Position Delco-Remy, 6 Volt for use with Voltage Regulator,
• 4 Position Delco-Remy, 6 Volt for use with Cut Out,
• 4 Position Indak, 12 Volt

* The pictures from this site and from the internet are for reference.

[Crimson Tim]

I had had a similar thought about the ammeter. I have one that is not responsive, but not frozen, either. Maybe an internal cleaning would get it working again?

More to your question, you mention ignition switches. I had a keyed ignition switch from my ‘77 fail. The flat disc backing is inserted into the case, and then the case is crimped in a couple places to hold the backing disc in. The case is just brittle pot metal, so I was unable to get it apart without the case fracturing. So it was not a successful endeavor. Ymmv.

I suppose I could epoxy it back together, but I think it’s not worth the effort at this point. Replacements are available.


It looks like the first two light switches you show have actual screws holding them together. I can’t tell about the last light switch. It might be crimped similar to my ignition switch. (I don’t have a light switch to compare to).

I would think the innards should be pretty straightforward, though. Give it a try. In the worst case, you’ll have to buy a switch.

[Eugene]

I have epoxied some ancient electrical switches together.

Not only are the cases fragile, so is the brass contact strips, screws frequently corroded in place.

Nothing mysterious about the switches, give them a repair try.

[Rick Spivey]

I took the Delco-Remy 6 volt version apart on my son's cub in order to clean the contacts, and insure I knew which contacts were hot at which positions (before I knew I could find that info on here). It was straightforward, but they are somewhat fragile as mentioned, so go easy.

[Stanton]

Have repaired the old style pull-push ignition switches, both single and double, and then epoxied the case closed. Worked fine. Also have disassembled a rotary switch from a rear combo light with success.

Take your time and dig in.

[Slim140]

The Delco switches are simple. This is the one off the 1947 Cub we had.

Had the knob powdercoat painted, it looked awful from the impurities in the material I guess.