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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

56 Ignition Switch Removal

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Old Aug 24, 2019 | 03:07 PM
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56 Ignition Switch Removal

Hello all. Just starting my project on my ‘56 F100. I have about 10 keys that came with the truck and none of them will actually turn the ignition switch. The switch itself seems very loose and I am confident it is the original by looking at the keys, no doubt it needs replaced. I attempted to look it up here on the forum and with Google, but I cannot find how to get the old one out. Several of the parts sellers sell just the core and a couple keys, which might be an option. The only sites I can find that show how to remove the core for replacement show a little pin hole near the bottom of the cylinder that mine does not have. So...any help? Thanks! Glenn
 
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Old Aug 24, 2019 | 03:31 PM
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Maybe....... if no pin hole on the front then a pin somewhere on the body .... maybe ? (shop manual ?)
 
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Old Aug 24, 2019 | 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Old F1
Maybe....... if no pin hole on the front then a pin somewhere on the body .... maybe ? (shop manual ?)
Well I’ll be...there was something in the shop manual. Did not go far enough the first time I looked. I guess once I get the ignition switch out of the dash I can then see if I can get the core out, or just replace the whole switch.
 
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 07:22 AM
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I have the original key and switch too, mine is very loose and needs to be wiggled sometimes. I squirted some electrical contact cleaner/lube into it and it helped, I even got it to turn backwards into the accessory mode! Of course, I can't seem to get it to go back in there anymore, and the key is so thin I don't want to risk breaking it. Not like there's any reason to use the accessory setting on this thing anyway...the point is that I'm sure most folks have had to work on this same issue, and will have lots of ideas for you if you need them.
 
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 07:28 AM
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Thanks Matt. I took it out of the dash late yesterday and ordered a new one with a core and keys. They are not that expensive and don’t want to worry about getting stranded somewhere and having to “hot wire” it to get it started later on.
 
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 01:23 PM
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1956 trucks use the same ignition switch, cylinder w/key as 1952/59 Ford Passenger Cars, 1955/60 Thunderbird.

Pic: 1955 Ford Passenger Car ignition switch (11572) w/cylinder and key (11582).

There's no truck parts catalog pic like this.
 
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Old Aug 25, 2019 | 08:00 PM
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Doesn't the bezel screw off the front and it just push through the dash?
 
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Travi23x3
Doesn't the bezel screw off the front and it just push through the dash?
Actually you push on the switch from the back to compress the spring then turn the bezel counterclockwise about half a turn to release the switch. You then pull the bezel out from the front and the switch comes out from the back. Not too bad once I leaned that trick. Not a lot of wire to play with to wire the new one in, but laying on my back with the seat out will make it a little easier.
 
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 07:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Glenn Jenne
Actually you push on the switch from the back to compress the spring then turn the bezel counterclockwise about half a turn to release the switch. You then pull the bezel out from the front and the switch comes out from the back. Not too bad once I leaned that trick. Not a lot of wire to play with to wire the new one in, but laying on my back with the seat out will make it a little easier.
cool, I'm going to take mine off as soon as it dries off outside. Need to do the same and replace the switch.

thanks!
 
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