MTFCA Forum

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.

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.

Nice looking cut off touring. Do I understand you to say the key falls out when running on magneto AND battery ?

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

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

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.

George House wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 10:57 am

Nice looking cut off touring. Do I understand you to say the key falls out when running on magneto AND battery ?

Yes... I think Keith has the solution!

Thank you for the compliment, the pickup bed is a lot of fun!

KWTownsend wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:08 am

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

Keith! Totally forgot about the inverted key trick! Keeps it out of my fat foot's way too. Thanks!

Andy

Read what RV says, something does not look right with that switch. May be just picture but ? Dan

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.

R.V.Anderson wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:18 am

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.

You are correct. It is out past. Will need to I investigate! Thank you

Retro54 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 12:18 pm

R.V.Anderson wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:18 am

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.

You are correct. It is out past. Will need to I investigate! Thank you

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.

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

Key as shown in Lang's catalog;
https://www.modeltford.com/item/5013QBL.aspx