The Ford Barn

Eolesley · 04-10-2022, 08:13 AM

Does anyone know of a replacement inner on and off switch for the 36 radio dash head unit. Mine probably has been replaced before, but has failed again beyond repair. I’m talking about the power switch that gets turned off when the volume knob is turned all the way down. Thanks

Gary Tosel · 04-10-2022, 04:41 PM

I do not know if anyone has a replacement switch for the radio head, but a repair of the existing switch is more complicated than any other on-off switch should be. The weak link for the switch is a small piece of bakolite that is very delicate and hard to reproduce.

Eolesley · 04-10-2022, 06:58 PM

Correct, the strip of bakolite broke on both ends. I’ve thought about trying to reproduce one out of composite, but not sure if it will hold or if I could even do it well enough. What have others done for this in the past. Right now I just have the whole switch removed with a separate toggle switch for the radio, but not having it correct bothers me. Thanks

Merc Cruzer · 04-10-2022, 07:00 PM

3 D printer

Lawson Cox · 04-10-2022, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

3 D printer

My thoughts perzactly.

Eolesley · 04-11-2022, 10:38 AM

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I’ve thought about a 3D printer, but I don’t have access to one. I was hoping there was another way. I’ve been real tempted to just buy one.

Blastfromthepast · 04-12-2022, 09:35 PM

If you can’t repair your switch you maybe able to
Connect a switch through the ignition.

blucar · 04-13-2022, 11:12 AM

Not a good idea to connect accessories through the EFV8 ignition switch's, they were never intended to carry more load than just the ignition.
Many of the '35-37 Philco Ford radios I have seen, the one in my '36 coupe included, have a toggle switch for off/on incorporated into the radio box, the control head also has the off/on switch. I would surmise that the toggle switch in the box was a safety feature to prevent leaving the radio on and draining the battery.

Don Rogers · 04-13-2022, 11:40 AM

When Ford added the on/off switch in the radio head, they eliminated the on/off switch in the box leaving only the volume control.

Eolesley · 04-17-2022, 09:53 AM

I ended up making one out of composite. It seems to work fine, but long term who knows.

04-10-2022, 08:13 AM	#1
Eolesley Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 7	1936 radio head unit Does anyone know of a replacement inner on and off switch for the 36 radio dash head unit. Mine probably has been replaced before, but has failed again beyond repair. I’m talking about the power switch that gets turned off when the volume knob is turned all the way down. Thanks

04-10-2022, 04:41 PM	#2
Gary Tosel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,138	Re: 1936 radio head unit I do not know if anyone has a replacement switch for the radio head, but a repair of the existing switch is more complicated than any other on-off switch should be. The weak link for the switch is a small piece of bakolite that is very delicate and hard to reproduce.

04-10-2022, 06:58 PM	#3
Eolesley Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 7	Re: 1936 radio head unit Correct, the strip of bakolite broke on both ends. I’ve thought about trying to reproduce one out of composite, but not sure if it will hold or if I could even do it well enough. What have others done for this in the past. Right now I just have the whole switch removed with a separate toggle switch for the radio, but not having it correct bothers me. Thanks

04-10-2022, 07:00 PM	#4
Merc Cruzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Conifer, Colorado Posts: 2,429	Re: 1936 radio head unit 3 D printer

04-11-2022, 10:38 AM	#6
Eolesley Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 7	Re: 1936 radio head unit Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I’ve thought about a 3D printer, but I don’t have access to one. I was hoping there was another way. I’ve been real tempted to just buy one.

04-12-2022, 09:35 PM	#7
Blastfromthepast Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: NY Posts: 318	Re: 1936 radio head unit If you can’t repair your switch you maybe able to Connect a switch through the ignition.

04-13-2022, 11:12 AM	#8
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: 1936 radio head unit Not a good idea to connect accessories through the EFV8 ignition switch's, they were never intended to carry more load than just the ignition. Many of the '35-37 Philco Ford radios I have seen, the one in my '36 coupe included, have a toggle switch for off/on incorporated into the radio box, the control head also has the off/on switch. I would surmise that the toggle switch in the box was a safety feature to prevent leaving the radio on and draining the battery. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe Last edited by blucar; 04-13-2022 at 11:17 AM.

04-13-2022, 11:40 AM	#9
Don Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wildwood, MO. (near St. Louis) Posts: 1,792	Re: 1936 radio head unit When Ford added the on/off switch in the radio head, they eliminated the on/off switch in the box leaving only the volume control.