Lucas switches in a CR dash

onefastmustang · #1 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 11:21 AM

Does anyone know if Lucas switches will work in a CR dash or is the dash plus padding plus material just too thick? I want to replace my switches as two of them are pathetic looking so I thought I would just replace all 5.

TIA

Mike

Double Venom · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 01:42 PM

Mike,
Yes they will but as with almost everything not supplied by CR's the back of the dash will need some attention where the switches go. I use Lucas a lot but their threaded shafts as you know are much to short to work well.

I use a 2" MINI GRINDER and just grind down the dash where the switch will be. Then you can put the Lucas switch in with room to spare. I've even done it numerous times with the pad on the front- just grind slow and cautious!

tcrist · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-2010, 01:45 PM

Mike,
Just make sure the switches have a 1/2" threaded area that goes through the dash and you will be fine. If they are too tight just take a Dremel with the drum sanding attachment and enlarge the hole a little.

onefastmustang · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2010, 10:02 AM

Thanks.. I was concerned about the thickness. In looking at the pictures of the switches online they look like they are made up fore some pretty thin sheet metal and that's about it.

jimhurtt · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010, 08:07 PM

My 1991 CR came with three dummy black flip switches in the dash below the gauges. Any ideas on something to use these for (other than to engage a supercharger or inject nitrous oxide)? I flip them now and then just to look like I am doing something important.

Jim

tcrist · #6 (**permalink**) 05-25-2010, 08:27 PM

Jim,
Electric fuel pump, backup switch for electric fan and ?.

Double Venom · #7 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 05:03 AM

An over-ride for the Fan is always a good idea!

onefastmustang · #8 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010, 09:06 PM

I use mine for the fuel pump, headlights, fan and driving lights.. I have one unused one right now and I might set that up for the ejector seat.

tcrist · #9 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010, 09:37 PM

Be like James Bond. Use it to revolve your license plates.

onefastmustang · #10 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010, 09:46 PM

It used to be for my oil spill but Rick helped me fix that.

MaSnaka · #11 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010, 10:07 PM

Headlights, driving lights, fan overide and the never used windshield wipers. I have one unused which I could hook up to my non-functional hideous looking reverse lights but I'd prefer the ejector seat idea.

John

onefastmustang · #12 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010, 10:16 PM

Silly question. Why would one want to override the fan? It should only come on if the coolant I'd hot enough.

MaSnaka · #13 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010, 10:39 PM

Not so silly. Originally the fan was only controlled by the dash switch. Which is fine until you wonder what that smell is and realize your coolant is overly hot and your late in turning the fan on. I hooked up an auto fan switch that starts the fan whenever the water temp gets above 195f. I had the switch availible and the option to maintain the manual switch so I kept it. I can do it both ways (auto and manual)and I guess it boils (pun intended) down to peace of mind if the temps get ugly, I can still turn on the fan if the auto switch fails. The auto switch I bought had a lead that would start the fan if an AC was turned on and I wired that to a dash light that indicats when in fact the fan is running. It's nice to be able to confirm when the fan is running.

John

Double Venom · #14 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 03:20 AM

Thermo couplings OFTEN FAIL. Redundant Fan switch is one of the best "add -ons you can have! Have a BB, weather is hot & sunny, know you are going to be cruising in a slow line.... Don't even wait for the the Thermo to kick in! Naah, not silly, just cheap insurance for a 10K motor!

jimhurtt · #15 (**permalink**) 05-30-2010, 09:16 PM

Thanks for all the good ideas fellas, except the ejector seat idea as that is where my wife rides. (wait a minute, hmmmm, oh well). My CR was built turnkey by the original CR in 91' so I have a push-pull switch for the lights. My two electric radiator fans were wired to come on with the key and they stay on all the time. Probably wear out soon that way though. But without them on all the time I would definatly overheat in summer (do sometimes anyway). Good idea to have a manual overide switch on them though DV, I will probably do that. My wipers are controlled by the stalk on the tilt steering column. Maybe I'll do an aaoooga horn with one of them.

jim

onefastmustang · #16 (**permalink**) 05-30-2010, 10:15 PM

I put a Ferrari horn in mine. Attracts a lot of attention.