Loose coil box key
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Topic author - Posts: 547
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:40 pm
- First Name: Andrew
- Last Name: Blaydon
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Loose coil box key
Getting to learn to drive you T is challenging enough, but when your key is loose in the coil box and falls out on the bumps.. its even harder! Haha. Looking for suggestions on how to make the coil box key hole friction fit have more friction.
Photo below, and quick video to show the T in motion here: https://youtu.be/jGKPraolXQQ
Thank you in advance.
Photo below, and quick video to show the T in motion here: https://youtu.be/jGKPraolXQQ
Thank you in advance.
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Re: Loose coil box key
Perhaps you are using one of the late flat keys. They don't stay in too well. Next, it appears the part the key goes into is not original. Perhaps the bore on it is incorrect. Use only the early key with the pin going through it and you shouldn't have a problem. Also, that chain isn't doing you any good.
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Re: Loose coil box key
Nice looking cut off touring. Do I understand you to say the key falls out when running on magneto AND battery ?
I don’t know why I turned out this way. My parents were decent people.
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Re: Loose coil box key
It would be interesting to see the switch with the face plate off. I have a similar switch but the part the key fits into does not extend beyond the faceplate - allowing the "ears" on the key to slip under the faceplate and hold it in place when in battery or magneto. I suspect someone has modified your switch in the distant past. Replacing the switch is one possibility --- otherwise you'll have to engineer a solution
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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Re: Loose coil box key
Andrew-
I used to have that problem, but I put my key in upside down. Now gravity is my friend.
Also, if you pull the cover off, you will see where the key mechanism makes a physical switch contact. You can squeeze the contacts together so the switch stays in the contact position tighter.
Happy Touring,
: ^ )
Keith
I used to have that problem, but I put my key in upside down. Now gravity is my friend.
Also, if you pull the cover off, you will see where the key mechanism makes a physical switch contact. You can squeeze the contacts together so the switch stays in the contact position tighter.
Happy Touring,
: ^ )
Keith
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Re: Loose coil box key
It's hard to tell for sure from the photo, but it looks like the central part of the switch that the key fits into is protruding out above the switch plate. This piece should end just below the plate, which is what holds the key in place once it is turned to BAT or MAG. If you can cut this back to the correct height your problem should be solved.
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Topic author - Posts: 547
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:40 pm
- First Name: Andrew
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Re: Loose coil box key
Yes... I think Keith has the solution!George House wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 10:57 amNice looking cut off touring. Do I understand you to say the key falls out when running on magneto AND battery ?
Thank you for the compliment, the pickup bed is a lot of fun!
Last edited by Retro54 on Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Topic author - Posts: 547
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:40 pm
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Re: Loose coil box key
Keith! Totally forgot about the inverted key trick! Keeps it out of my fat foot's way too. Thanks!KWTownsend wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:08 amAndrew-
I used to have that problem, but I put my key in upside down. Now gravity is my friend.
Also, if you pull the cover off, you will see where the key mechanism makes a physical switch contact. You can squeeze the contacts together so the switch stays in the contact position tighter.
Happy Touring,
: ^ )
Keith
Andy
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Re: Loose coil box key
Read what RV says, something does not look right with that switch. May be just picture but ? Dan
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Re: Loose coil box key
I am thinking at one time there may have been an aftermarket locking cover on it. The center section was from that setup. The hole in the center is too big and extends too far out from the cover.
From Lang's catalog here is what the internal parts should look like;
https://www.modeltford.com/item/4728.aspx
https://www.modeltford.com/item/4730S.aspx
The center part the key fits into to should be about flush with the cover/plate not out past it as shown. As said above, the tabs would fit under the cover and hold the key in place when the key is turned.
From Lang's catalog here is what the internal parts should look like;
https://www.modeltford.com/item/4728.aspx
https://www.modeltford.com/item/4730S.aspx
The center part the key fits into to should be about flush with the cover/plate not out past it as shown. As said above, the tabs would fit under the cover and hold the key in place when the key is turned.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
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Topic author - Posts: 547
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:40 pm
- First Name: Andrew
- Last Name: Blaydon
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Cut-down touring
- Location: Middletown
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Loose coil box key
You are correct. It is out past. Will need to I investigate! Thank youR.V.Anderson wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:18 amIt's hard to tell for sure from the photo, but it looks like the central part of the switch that the key fits into is protruding out above the switch plate. This piece should end just below the plate, which is what holds the key in place once it is turned to BAT or MAG. If you can cut this back to the correct height your problem should be solved.
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- Location: Portland Or
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Re: Loose coil box key
Cutting back the protruding part is not going to fix the problem, replacing with the correct internal parts will. You will need the part shown in the first link I posted or find a good used one.Retro54 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 12:18 pmYou are correct. It is out past. Will need to I investigate! Thank youR.V.Anderson wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:18 amIt's hard to tell for sure from the photo, but it looks like the central part of the switch that the key fits into is protruding out above the switch plate. This piece should end just below the plate, which is what holds the key in place once it is turned to BAT or MAG. If you can cut this back to the correct height your problem should be solved.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
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Re: Loose coil box key
Solution - either make the hole the key goes in smaller or the barrel of the key fatter (wrap some tape around the barrel of the key). As others have said the key should be held in place by the cover. The problem could be that one of the shoulders around the key hole is broken. A picture of your switch like attached would help
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- switch.jpg (92.92 KiB) Viewed 2087 times
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
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- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
- First Name: Mark
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Re: Loose coil box key
Key as shown in Lang's catalog;
https://www.modeltford.com/item/5013QBL.aspx
https://www.modeltford.com/item/5013QBL.aspx
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup