The great switch-er-roo...!

[66gtk]

I've been in your shoes before. I had to take a dremel and carefully sand away the portion of the dash (backside) to recess it enough to hold the nut down on the front. I found a way to do this on my installed dash by putting a sanding disk backwards on the the dremel after I pushed the dremel through the hole and then apply a pulling pressure as I sanded away material on the backside.

[vntgspd]

Originally Posted by 66gtk

I've been in your shoes before. I had to take a dremel and carefully sand away the portion of the dash (backside) to recess it enough to hold the nut down on the front. I found a way to do this on my installed dash by putting a sanding disk backwards on the the dremel after I pushed the dremel through the hole and then apply a pulling pressure as I sanded away material on the backside.

Genius! I haven't had to do that but I will remember the trick.

[spdbrake]

I too thought a set of vintage Lucas switches would be nice in my Backdraft.

I used a reverse spotface cutter to counter bore the inside of the dash panel.
Like these: https://cogsdill.com/products/deburring-tools/flipcut/

And switch Id labels. https://www.bits4landys.co.uk/series...s-switches.htm

My selective memory was active and I totally forgot about the pains I endured while a youngster and my MG and Lucas. Needless to say one of those Lucas switches running my Electric fuel pump on the Cobra died one night and luckily I swapped connections with cooling fan override switch next to it and got home. The Lucas switches are at home in the landfill now.
Lucas - Prince of Darkness - Lucas Electrical Humor Jokes

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by spdbrake

I too thought a set of vintage Lucas switches would be nice in my Backdraft.

I used a reverse spotface cutter to counter bore the inside of the dash panel.
Like these: https://cogsdill.com/products/deburring-tools/flipcut/

And switch Id labels. https://www.bits4landys.co.uk/series...s-switches.htm

My selective memory was active and I totally forgot about the pains I endured while a youngster and my MG and Lucas. Needless to say one of those Lucas switches running my Electric fuel pump on the Cobra died one night and luckily I swapped connections with cooling fan override switch next to it and got home. The Lucas switches are at home in the landfill now.
Lucas - Prince of Darkness - Lucas Electrical Humor Jokes

I' ve had the same experience with two Lucas switches going bad. I have found them pretty simple to pull apart and repair however.

[66gtk]

Originally Posted by spdbrake

I used a reverse spotface cutter to counter bore the inside of the dash panel.
Like these: https://cogsdill.com/products/deburring-tools/flipcut/

Clever tool - how much does this thing cost?

[spdbrake]

Good question. I've never had to buy one. Expendables were always supplied by my employer. Another company that makes the same style of cutter is:
https://www.steinertechnologies.com/

Another type that is reasonable price wise and works quite well on aluminum are these. https://www.yardstore.com/drilling-a...everse-cutters
HS steel not carbide like the Flipcuts.

If you're ever in Wichita swing by the Yardstore. Used Tooling, Air tools, measuring, bits, cutters from Cessna,Beech,Bombardier,Boeing all end up there Cheap! Pennys VS $. They have quite a bit on their website used as well but prices are at least 2X higher on the site on used items.
https://www.yardstore.com/surplus
I wouldn't buy a used Pancake or Angle drill there though. Those need to be inspected for head wear personally. (wandering drill bits) Unless they note the heads are new.