Ignition Switch for 1958 Imperial

[Gregg Benedict]

What type of switch is used on 1958 Imperial models? It is a kind with 3 screw posts in the back or 4? Does it connect to the dash with a screw bezel or a set screw in the back? Does anyone have a part number?

-Gregg B.

 

[mobileparts]

Hey Gregg B ,
I suppose, before I give you the answer , I should look up the IMPERIAL…..
I have the definitive answer for 1958 - 1959 Chrysler , Dodge , DeSoto , and Plymouth…..

I will check , and let you know…… Craig…..

 

[MAXWEDGECHAR]

@Gregg Benedict @mobileparts I checked my parts manual and it lists the part #1770040. I do not have access to any of my others right now but it says '57-'58 Chrysler and Imperial and some Dodges. A bunch of guys on fleebay have them.

 

[mobileparts]

I just looked in my old Standard catalog —- and it “ lumps “ IMPERIAL with Chrysler —- and according to it —- it says
1958 - 1959 — ALL —…
Charlie / MAXWEDGECHAR ,
My catalogs show that 1949 - 1957 is the old US12…
My catalogs show that 1958 - 1959 is the old US15…

I would have to see if I can interchange Charlie’s MOPAR # —-
to see if that O E M # crosses into Standard # s….

Both the US12 and US15 ( I have both !!! N.O.S. ) are 4 prongs / and the old screw on terminals…. The 1958 - 1959 is shorter than the 1949 - 1957…
The newer spade connectors / terminals started with the US50 in 1960 …. ( I have them , and they are still available… )

Yours, Craig…..

 

[mobileparts]

My old Standard interchange does not have 1770040 to cross reference….

 

[mobileparts]

I just looked on sleaze bay —- certainly a discrepancy for 1957 and 1959 ?!?!
They all list it as 1957 - 1958 and not 1959 ,
Whereas Standard lists it as 1958 - 1959 — ALL — ONLY —-

The 1770040 on Sleaze Bay —- Hiltop has it @ $ 125 —- and they are usually OVER the sky is the limit…..

Bernbum , Robert’s , and MoparPro all have it higher than them !!!!!!!!!! Yowzer !!!!

At least , I know mine are priced fairer…..

 

[Gregg Benedict]

It almost sounds like there is a different ignition switch for 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960, at least for Imperial. This does seem a bit unlikely, but what do I know? From what I can gather, the Ignition switch looks like it should be the 3-prong type. This is what I see in the Service Manual:

That would agree with what I have seen online with Chrysler part #1770040. Here are a couple pictures of that part:

This type doesn't have a screw-on bezel, but is instead held on to the dash by some sort of set screw. I wish I could get a good picture of what that looks like installed.

 

[Gregg Benedict]

Just to throw a wrench in the whole works, it looks like my '58 Imperial was retrofitted with a later 4-prong ignition switch. I am only guessing this is what was used in a '59 Imperial, but I'm not sure. What's more, it is still using a set-screw to mount it to the dash. I'm not even sure how that is possible:

This is what a NOS 1959 switch looks like. Note how it is mounted with a screw bezel:

 

[Gregg Benedict]

I just looked in my old Standard catalog —- and it “ lumps “ IMPERIAL with Chrysler —- and according to it —- it says
1958 - 1959 — ALL —…
Charlie / MAXWEDGECHAR ,
My catalogs show that 1949 - 1957 is the old US12…
My catalogs show that 1958 - 1959 is the old US15…

I would have to see if I can interchange Charlie’s MOPAR # —-
to see if that O E M # crosses into Standard # s….

Both the US12 and US15 ( I have both !!! N.O.S. ) are 4 prongs / and the old screw on terminals…. The 1958 - 1959 is shorter than the 1949 - 1957…
The newer spade connectors / terminals started with the US50 in 1960 …. ( I have them , and they are still available… )

Yours, Craig…..

Could you show me a picture of what your US15 looks like, Craig?

 

[mobileparts]

Gregg B. ,
NO.... I would like to learn how to do that , but I don't know how to do it.....
Craig.....

Maybe, I can pull it, and tell you what it looks like, but the milk crate that it is in the van , is seriously not convenient....

It would take me more than an hour to get it out of there, because of what would have to be removed to get to that milk crate.....
And another hour +,to put it back...Definitely not today...
( And , keep in mind that
I am medically challenged as welll.....)

 

[MAXWEDGECHAR]

@mobileparts Hi Craig; I knew you would have it! I could drive up and help you unload in the sleet and snow!