57 Ford ignition-58 Ford Ignition-difference?

[Jeff Norwell]

Long story short.a friend of mine has a very nice 58 Custom.. all stock with a 292-3 speed.
Car drives incredible.
He recently needed a new ignition switch.... ordered one from Carpenters.... and when he went to install.. the chrome bezel that holds the ignition switch to the dash(locking) wouldn't work because the Chinese off shore repro part was machined improperly to accept the locking bezel.
Frustrated and miffed.... He called and asked if I had a spare ignition switch.
Yes.I have several with keys from various parts cars.....
They are all completed.

so I let him make his choice and off he goes......
Next day he calls and says it won't fit..... telling me the switch itself is "too short".

I have always thought there was no difference in the 57-58 ignition switch.... the 57-58 dash is basically identical....
Am I wrong here?
Yes. my switches are complete with the coiled spring that wraps around the body and gives tension on insertion.
I know they have different part numbers... but am I missing something here?

This gentleman is a senior and has many cars... not a newby.

[59meteor]

Jeff, what does he mean by "too short"? I believe that either the 58 or 59 headlight switch may have an additional fuse than a 57, but not aware of any other differences.

[Jeff Norwell]

As it was explained to me Rory..... the switches are identical ...But on a 58.. PN# 11575 differs from the 57 one. in design.
The plate is made different and sets the ignition back that much as compared to the 57 unit.
I will report back when the project is done..... It's interesting because for the most part..57-58 are near identical  through. out the car.... same dash. just reversed color design.. but I never knew this......
so all I can say it that I will report back and let you know what happened.
Worst case.I will lend my pal the 57 Parts....(11575 and 11621) from a 57 car and that should sold the problem...  he can switch out #pn 11623 to keep things 58 looking and some paint work....

[KYBlueOval]

After reading these posts, I decided I needed to install my ignition switch, to see if there is an issue, as I am using  '58 Bezels.I got it together. It is not as snug as think it should be. I believe there is a nylon washer (1 1/4" OD X 7/8" ID)that should be used, but I don't know exactly where is goes. Can someone please reply as to where it should go.
Thanks
John
 

[Jeff Norwell]

John.I don't know anything about a Nylon washer... but please report back to us to see if it shims up tighter....
The 58 ignition I was speaking is not yet repaired but I will let all know when finished.
I do know that installing the ignition(and the light switch for that matter) is a real PAIN.
Now I know why some folks pre wire everything on the bench , then install their dash.
Having the seat and steering wheel in the way just makes the job more obnoxious...... 

[KYBlueOval]

I believe you have confirmed that it does not belong on this switch. My car came home in boxes and the ignition switch and misc. other parts were all in a box. I thought the nylon washer was for the switch, but couldn't figure out how it would assemble.Thanks
There is a little "slop" when  the switch is installed. I'll try stretching the spring a little. If that does not fix it, my second thought is a spring washer, or a shim/washer to tighten it up. I'll let you know what works.
John

[Jeff Norwell]

So. the owner got to the bottom of this... "Someone" in this cars life. hogged out the rear plate(PN 11575) to accept a generic ignition switch in the past... this is why a 57-58 was not fitting....
So.. a few shims and a bit of a stretch on the ignition wrap spring.. and its all back together.

I have not seen the final finished job... just reporting back