Brake light switch -wrong part

[Mid Mod Guy]

The brake lights no longer work on my 63 Avanti. I checked the fuse, it looked fine but I replaced it with a new one. That did not solve the problem. So I ordered a brake light switch and went to install it and discovered that the threaded part is too small in diameter and does not fit or match the old part. I checked a couple different sources and they all give me the same part numbers and the same part as the one I already have in my hand. What’s going on? Is it possible? I have a non-standard master cylinder? I don’t think so. Here’s the new part that I have that does not fit.

[Gunslinger]

Get one from Myer’s Studebaker, Nostalgic Motors or Studebaker International…at least you’ll know they’re correct.  Also…you may well need to bleed the brakes after opening the system up.  
 

The best thing to do is convert it to a mechanical brake switch.  

[paul shuffleburg]

If you have a replacement MC it could be metric threads and you will need an adapter.

[Rob Dudley]

Yes, the reproduction ones have a larger threaded hole for the switch. Just get a ateel adapter at the hardware store. 

Rob

[StevenB]

Gunslinger, what is the recommended mechanical brake light switch? 

 

[AG-R3]

3 hours ago, StevenB said:

Gunslinger, what is the recommended mechanical brake light switch? 

 

Here are a couple ideas...

http://studebaker-info.org/rjtechjan2023p1.html#BRAKELIGHTSW

 

[Gunslinger]

The best I can remember it was from a Chevrolet but it’s twenty years so I’m fuzzy on that.  

[StevenB]

Wow! What a great information site! Thank you for the excellent, useful information. 

[Mid Mod Guy]

After lots of background processing and thought, I figured out why my part was not fitting on my Avanti for the backup lights. There’s a small metal threaded reducer that is situated between the backup light switch and the master cylinder. It's a larger diameter on one end and a smaller diameter on the other end. When I took off the old switch, this part was still threaded onto the old switch, and so the new switch didn't fit into the master cylinder correctly. Once I realized this, I unscrewed it from the old switch and then re-screwed into the new switch and now it fit perfectly and the lights work. Yay!

Here is a photo with the old switch still in place, in case it helps someone else who encounters this situation.