34pack Posted April 17, 2023 Share Posted April 17, 2023 The arrow in this photo of the firewall of a 1920 vehicle points to a mysterious electrical component. Does anyone recognize this part as to manufacturer and function. It may be a Delco part as the distributor used was a Delco unit. In addition to finding out what it is I need one and will pay a premium price for a good example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oregon Desert model 45 Posted April 17, 2023 Share Posted April 17, 2023 probably a combination ignition / light switch. Based on shape of the cowl and absence of windshield this might be a race car with switch mounted through the firewall instead of mounted inside on a dashboard. Might be easier to identify the car make and some expert can tell you exactly what it is. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFeeney Posted April 17, 2023 Share Posted April 17, 2023 Does the fined cover indicate a racing engine and is the tall tower with the bevel gear used to drive a Overhead cam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34pack Posted April 18, 2023 Author Share Posted April 18, 2023 I forgot an important piece of information in my post, this is on a race car therefore it can't be part of a lighting system. The car did have battery ignition not a magneto. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 I might suggest contacting Brian Coffee, if you haven't already done so. Or, Jim Dillon. Have you tried either of these gentlemen? A third person I can think of would be Robert "Bob" McConnel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34pack Posted April 18, 2023 Author Share Posted April 18, 2023 Thanks for the suggestions! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFeeney Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 I would be interested to find out what engine this is. Please post if you find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34pack Posted April 18, 2023 Author Share Posted April 18, 2023 The engine is a 183 C.I. Duesenberg. I am certain the part I'm interested in identifying and looking for, see white arrow in photo, is not made by Duesenberg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 The Bahre collection in Maine has a Duesenberg race car, try contacting Jeff Orwig... or, Joe Freeman, he has a Duesenberg race car, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 You should be able to sort out the function with an ohmmeter. Check the ohmic relationship between the terminals at 4, 8, and 9 o'clock. Determine if the cowl mounted terminal wired to the 4 o'clock terminal is a ground or insulated and if it continues to a switch. Then trace out your harness leads and their termination points. Draw the whole electrical diagram out the the function should show. Probably a 20 minute job. Are you in the western New York area? I saw that bevel gear and thought it might drive a supercharger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 16 minutes ago, 60FlatTop said: You should be able to sort out the function with an ohmmeter. Check the ohmic relationship between the terminals at 4, 8, and 9 o'clock. Determine if the cowl mounted terminal wired to the 4 o'clock terminal is a ground or insulated and if it continues to a switch. Then trace out your harness leads and their termination points. Draw the whole electrical diagram out the the function should show. Probably a 20 minute job. I hate to sound snarky, but that's tough to do from a photo. Greg is looking to find the part... after it's been identified. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34pack Posted April 18, 2023 Author Share Posted April 18, 2023 I know Joe well, I have photos of his pedal placement. I'm not certain if I've contacted the Bahre collection, I'll check my notes. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge28 Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 It looks to me like some kind of combination of coil and ignition switch. North /East Electric made lots of those and so there may be other makes around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34pack Posted April 18, 2023 Author Share Posted April 18, 2023 Thanks, I found a few and while none were "it" I saw similarities which is hopeful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now