Ok, I am new to elderly Fords. I am a Volvo mechanic in TN. My grandfather passed away in 2009 and left me a 1964 Ford Pickup. It has eight lugs and is a 4wd with a V8. The truck showed up on a car hauler at my house yesterday, and it has no brake lights. The lights and wiring are good, but the switch is missing, and I didn't see any connector. Anyone know what these look like and how they are set up?

Next, the truck has spent its entire life at 4870 feet in Bozeman, MT and now will spend the remainder of its years at around 1000 feet near Nashville, TN. My uncle suggested that the Ford might be particularly susceptible to running lean down here and to watch it. Any suggestions? He thought I might have to rejet the carb- all I've ever worked on is fuel injection (I know, pathetic). He says that in MT it ran better with the choke on.

I plan on doing a decent restoration to this thing, so any help and advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

LT, Welcome! The brake lite switch is located on top of the master cylinder on the firewall above the steering column.

I wouldn't worry to much about the carb. Drive it a bit and see how it does.




John

 

Welcome to FTE

C1AZ13480A .. Stoplamp Switch (Motorcraft SW24) / Use with single 'pot' master cylinder / Available from Ford and a gazillion autoparts stores.

Fits: 1948/66 all trucks (except with air brakes).

Fits: 1949/64 all FoMoCo Passenger Cars / 1965 Mustang w/a generator / 1966 Bronco / Also fits: 1949/66 all Studebaker; 1957/58 Packabaker.

This pressure activated switch either threads directly into the front of the master cylinder, or threads into a brass fitting that threads into the front of the master cylinder. Has two male connectors.

All 1967 and later vehicles have a dual master cylinder. The switch is mounted to the brake pedal.

The carb jets are the same: 0-5,000 ft.

 

Holy smokes that was informative! Thanks, fellas. I'm wondering where it went- is the connector a three pin, with the pins being round and arranged horizontally?

Should I adjust the carb for the altitude at all- maybe with a vacuum gauge?

 

If the switch has three pins, the only vehicles I know of that use a stoplamp switch like this are .. 1955/56 Packard's with Torsion Level suspension. Don't ask me why, cuz it would take me an hour to explain it all.

The correct switch has two round pins.

 

here is a pic of it... And Welcome to FTE!

 

Oh crap I was looking by the brake pedal- used to more modern vehicles. I feel like an idiot- gonna check it when I get home.

 

Dont feel like an idiot...its all about education education education...Take notes when you need to and take pics if you feel the need to before taking something apart or if something doesnt look right or has you wondering whats this part for.


- cs65

 

Hey Logtail,
Welcome to FTE. Don't worry about feeling stupid here...me, I've just gotten used to it!
The wealth of collective knowledge on this site is incredible, and after only a few months on board, I've learned so much from a great group of folks. I laughed when you chastized yourself for your lack of knowledge (hey, you're a mechanic man!)...until recently, my knowledge of car engines was very very limited. I fly helicopters and am working on my FAA A&P mechanics license (air frame & Power-plant), specializing in turbines, and I know my way around one pretty well, but a 302?? I needed a lot of help...most guys think thats a little funny. You're sure to get lots of good advice from these guys!
Best,

Jason

 

Damn Bill that is one huge photo.





John

 

Hey LongTail; Welcome aboard;
Check out the Tennessee forum site as well; a bunch of us will be up in Whitehouse Tn on the 17th of July for a truck show; come along with or without your ride; its like a local FTE get together.
Again Welcome; If you need any local help; give me a call; I'm not as smart as these Ford Guru's are on the web; just a Shade Tree Mechanic with alot of leaves missing up here in Clarksville.
Again Welcome as others mention!!!!!

Mitch

 

Sorry John.... i should have resized it for the forums

 

Wow no kidding. I live right down the street from White House, TN. I am going to clean up the truck on Sat and go to the little cruisin' nights thing they have there at the Kroger. My three year old daughter goes beserk over my truck- she calls it the awesome truck.
Also, it's great to have somebody local- I belong to another, ahem, import forum, and NO ONE there is local at all.

 

Cool;
Sorry I wrote (LongTail) instead of Logtail; I'm old and forgetful; lol
Theres; also a Cruise in every Friday night in Hendersonville at there Krogers / Kohl's shopping center. Exit #6 Vietnam Veterans Blvd
My Brother-in-law goes to that one every friday / lives within 2 miles of that one.

Mitch

 

Ok, apparently I lied. My truck has 5 lugs. Does that make it not a 250? Ok I got home and jumped the wires leading to the brake switch and guess what? It needs a brake switch. I'm going grab one tomorrow- think someone may have one at work...