Some dash bezel questions.. fan in in choke hole?

[frdnut]

I am looking to install an electric cooling fan override switch into the stock choke location in the dash since I am not using that space for a choke..I thought why not use a factory blower motor switch and the chrome bezel which is already marked "fan"...Any reason why this shouldn't work?...I also haven't messed with those bezels yet..Do they just unscrew off of the switches?

[William-in-St George]

Bezels are not the issue with these switches. Some of the knobs are held on by a goofy tang. The ones that pull like heater and choke have this type knob. To remove these knobs with out destroying them you need to make a narrow thin tool the slides in the tiny and hard to see slot on the bottom of the knob and releases the tang. Most everyone destroys at least one of these knobs and then it becomes clear how Ford put them on. Kind a PITA but worth it if you want to save a original knob. As far as a manual override for the cooling fan kinda like a manual choke, your driving down the road and wondering why the engine is not running like it should and then you realize you forgot to push in the choke. IMHO!

[Toyz]

Most cheap sets of mechanics picks include a right angled one which is a quick and efficient tool for such knobs.A regular pocket knife works well as long as you realize the off position puts the "tang" at bottom center. Just hook the tang with the pick and pull slightly toward you, knob should slide right off the shaft; reinstallation, just push it back on shaft.
Don't try this on the headlamp knob, it's integral with the shaft and released by a spring-loaded buttton on top of the switch housing.
I see no problem with utilizing one for the engine fan control. Pretty sure it's a screw-on bezel; I 'll check tomorrow. You could use it to control a multi-speed fan if desired.
Paul

[frdnut]

Thanks for the info guys..Just to clarify the truck does not have a manual choke right now.

Most cheap sets of mechanics picks include a right angled one which is a quick and efficient tool for such knobs.A regular pocket knife works well as long as you realize the off position puts the "tang" at bottom center. Just hook the tang with the pick and pull slightly toward you, knob should slide right off the shaft; reinstallation, just push it back on shaft.
Don't try this on the headlamp knob, it's integral with the shaft and released by a spring-loaded buttton on top of the switch housing.
I see no problem with utilizing one for the engine fan control. Pretty sure it's a screw-on bezel; I 'll check tomorrow. You could use it to control a multi-speed fan if desired.
Paul

That would be awesome if you could check that for me..Even better if you could post pics!..I am going to a swap meet on the weekend and may stumble across one if I know what I am looking for.

[Toyz]

Here's a couple taken with my phone:

The locking nut does in fact unscrew releasing the bezel and the switch. It can usually be loosened with something like a flat blade screwdriver, although you can easily make a good tool by taking a cheap deep-well socket of appropriate size to fit the slots and grinding the end down to form two tangs to engage the nut. I would simply cut the defrost control cable unless you have another use for it. Hope this helps. You could also bend a small screwdiriver tip to a right angle to make a knob tool, but it usually comes off fairly easily (this one just pullled off w/o releasing the tab).

[frdnut]

Thank you very much..That was a huge help.