Studebuddy

ABear could be right about a step down module. That looks like it could work, but you should definitely build a box around it. But Dave is also right, you may just need to try a resistor in series. If you think you have the resistor right and it is still sounding sluggish, maybe it is time to service your horns internals. See if it is dragging on the bushings. Any resistance that slows the mechanical parts from spinning freely or a poor electrical connection caused by worn springs or brushes will affect the horns performance. When these horns are due for service, they can run a little slow. Maybe check/replace the springs and brushes. One other thought, did you wire your horn in with wire that will support the current draw of a 6-volt system? 6-volt wiring is thicker than 12-volt. If the gauge of your wiring isn't up to snuff, your horn won't receive the resources it needs and you run an chance of melting your wires.

Thanks for your help. We got it figured out. Just in case anyone else ever needs to know to have the keys cut from code, the lock cylinder was made by Eagle. I told the shop that I believed it was between 1918 and 1925 and they were able to cut the key for me.

I'm asking because I am trying to find out if I can have a key made for the switch I have. Knowing the manufacturer of the lock cylinder and the years they were used would be a great help.

Hello everyone. I have a Delco 1920's combination ignition/lights switch with a key cylinder at the top like this one. What kind of lock cylinder is used in this switch? Is it an Eagle, Yale, other? Also, can anyone help me identify what years of Buick this switch originally fit? Thank you

Yes, PITA for 20's cars. Our Studebaker's had pot metal ignition switch headlight levers they swell and break over time. Also had pot metal upper distributor housing where the cap sits... those also swell and crack. So you can ask me what parts on my car are not original, but I'll bet you can guess...

Accidents happen, I just with they wouldn't...

Bakelike parts were pretty and shiny when new. I would not recommend using oil or wax on a steering wheel, but polishing to smooth the material out doesn't really make it slippery. The Graygate polishing paste have used on Bakelite door handles and phones was developed for restoring the shine on Bakelite phones in the UK. If they shined up their phone handsets and it made them slippery, then people would have dropped them. The shine I have been able to produce is similar to a nice 2-stage paint job or modern plastic parts. It can make the surface feel smooth and look shiny, but it doesn't seem to make it slippery. No more slippery then they would have been when new.

Great picture. I love how members of this forum show interest in so many aspects of automotive history and bring them to light. Thank you for sharing.

I got my '98 Acura Integra used and it was my daily driver for 10 years. It is in great shape, interior perfect, but could use a paint job. I don't think it should be considered an antique. I like the term "Special Interest Autos". People offer to buy it all the time and the way cars are today, finding a car with a manual transmission could almost make it a special interest. Considering that many cars built in the 1980s and onward will go 200k or more on the original engine, seeing regular daily driver cars that are 25 years old and still on the road is not an uncommon occurrence.

I have used Gragate No5 on an old Bakelite telephone, but I also used it on a Bakelite exterior door handle for my '23 Studebaker. First I cleaned the handle with foaming window cleaner and carefully removed as much grime as I could with a toothbrush and a rag. Then I cleaned with light dish soap and warm water, let it dry. Then I used Graygate Paste Polishing No.5 with 000 steel wool to take down some of the oxidation. Then I used a small drill head polishing wheel with white polishing rouge to save some time. A drill doesn't rotate too fast so there was little chance of eating through or overheating the finish. Your job is bigger, so you will probably want to use a larger polishing/buffing wheel, go slow and take breaks so you don't do damage that can't be undone. Finished off with the Graygete No.5 and a rag. It looked brown when I started and shiny black when I finished. This was the finished product. I did not use any sandpaper, but if it was necessary I would have used a fine grit wet/dry paper before using the 000 steel wool.

If the steering wheel is Bakelite, then you should avoid sanding if possible. Under the hard outer shell is just filler that will deteriorate. Bakelite is delicate. The shiny outer layer of Bakelite oxidizes over time and can also get some pitting. If you keep it clean and minimize exposure to the sun. There is a lot of information about things you can try to clean Bakelite, but I chose to buy a product specifically made for Bakelite and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this stuff. It is called Graygate Bakelite Paste Polishing No5. It was developed for cleaning metal contacts and polishing Bakelite telephones. I'm sure you can order it at various places, but here are a couple: https://www.broughtons.com/store/product/161885/bakelite-polish/ https://www.hswalsh.com/product/greygate-no-5-gpo-bakelite-telephone-metal-cleaning-polish-60g-fp05

That is a wild design. Crazy impractical, but very cool.

Wow. I've never seen a nickel plated distributor before. That's wild.

Thank you Wayne, that is a good point. Delco and Remy were separate and a short time after there merger they began to badge products as Delco-Remy. This can cause some confusion while trying to search for parts because most parts websites will simply list the replacements parts as fitting a Delco product even though the original product may bare a Remy identification plate.

Only references I can find to this distributor are references for replacement parts. Looks like it fits a Case tractor. https://www.tractorpartsasap.com/distributor-terminal-insulator-assembly-new-111468.html https://www.robertstractor.com/Distributor-Dust-Cover-with-Felt-Gasket-and-Washer_p_3404.html https://www.mmtractorparts.com/distributor-dust-cover-case-tractor-delco-clip-held-distributor.html