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Hi my Ignition switch/coil wire is enclosed in an armor cable. I need to replace it and cannot figure out an easy way to open up my ignition switch as it is riveted shut. Is it safe to drill out the rivets to get access to the inside of the switch and the coil wire termination?

thanks

I drilled out the rivets and that did nothing to allow access to the inside of the switch. Any suggestions?

What I did to replace the wire was cut the anti-theft conduit (I know there's a better name for it) in the section close to the switch that will be hidden under the dash. You could remove a short section of conduit. Splice a new wire to the existing good wire near the switch and press a brass sheath over the two ends of the conduit to protect the wire.

My conduit measures about .37 OD and the sheath OD is .42.

There may be a much better way (Buy a new ignition switch and cable?), but this worked for me. And judges are none the wiser.

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Picture of the cable.
Wes

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Joe/Wes- What is on the end of the cable? (left side of pic)

I assume in connects somehow to the coil?

MY cable is missing that part as well.

It has a steel plate that covers the connection on the coil and takes a coil made for it. I have a couple but I'm afraid I didn't take any photos to show you. That's what gives it the security.

Here are photos illustrating what Don mentioned about the ends being specific to the coil. One is for Autolite and the other is Delco. I am not 100% certain which is which but the photo showing the cup end next to a coil came out of my 47 Custom which has a firewall mounted coil. The 2106 has Autolite dist, gen and starter equipment. Am assuming the coil would be Autolite too and on that one the tabs bend over to capture the end piece which forms the bottom of the coil. On the other more cup like piece it is a twist action to lock the cup over the coil body.

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Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions. I just purchased a NOS coil that is 'correct' for my car and have replaced the 'incorrect coil with the NOS.

I am now looking for the endcap that attaches to the armored cable from the ignition...

I'm not sure that you can replace only the end cap as it's part of the armored cable. If you need an assembly, though, there is one on the Packard / IMPERIAL page linked below.

Oops! Sorry, it has been sold.

David Flack flackmaster or David Moe, Packard-Seattle Co may have just the end piece attached to a piece of broken cable housing. Then you could sleeve the cable as I did. That would probably be your least cost option.

Otherwise bite the bullet and get a whole new ignition switch assembly which they may have or may be available elsewhere. Just be careful bending the tabs on the coli rim. Keep your ignition switch.