In this case, the stock headlight switch on the Olds was fucked beyond all repair. The Speedway wiring harness comes with a later model GM switch that fits all the corresponding pigtails and shit so no worries...right?
The only problem is that Oldsmobile in 1953 had an excellent idea to mount the switch on a recessed bracket behind the dash and used a 3/8-24 mounting stem that is about an inch and a quarter from under the head as opposed to the 7/16-28 mounting stem that almost all later model GM's used.
So the two obvious issues here are length and diameter. No way to make the new switch mount in the dash with a 7/16 stem without drilling out the dash chrome and cutting the bracket from behind the dash to compensate for the length...and the new stem is fucking ugly and will clash with all the other stock components of the dashboard.
Solutions?
A: Try carefully to drill out and tap the one and only cheese dick aluminum mounting stem supplied.
B: Epoxy and tap the mounting hole of the switch (not really practical from the what about the next switch aspect)
C: Dan Fuckin Miller!!!
I was talking with Dan Miller (a mechanical fucking wizard) about my dilemma and he got that twinkle in his eye that grey beards get when they are about to lay a golden egg on you and said "I'll dust off the lathe and whip up a widget that should take care the problem." So he called me the next day and said to meet him at the coffee shop for a cup and the widget was ready.
This might not look like much to some but go to any hardware store and ask for a 7/16-28 bolt and watch the faces they will make at you like you're some kind of idiot searching for a unicorn...because you are.
Point is be grateful for the real old school heroes in your life. Someday they will save your ass.
More to come...
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