The 1955 Ford Fairlane: A Classic Icon of American Automotive History

Turn Signal Switch Removal & Replacement Guide Classic Ford Mustang, Falcon, Fairlane, Comet & F-Series Trucks (1960s–1970s) If your turn signals are acting up—or just plain dead—it’s often the switch inside the column calling it quits. The good news? This is a very doable repair with basic tools and a little patience. Below is a step-by-step guide to replacing classic Ford turn signal switches, including popular part numbers like C3OZ-13341-B, C5OZ-13341-B, C5OZ-13341-HQ, C9TZ-13341-C, and C9TZ-13341-USA. Why Replace Your Turn Signal Switch? A worn or failing turn signal switch can cause: Intermittent or non-functioning signals Brake light issues Horn malfunctions (shared circuit in many models) Replacing it restores proper electrical function and keeps your classic Ford safe—and road legal. Tools & Prep Steering wheel puller (TOOL-3600) Small crescent wrench Screwdrivers Dielectric grease Phone (for reference photos—trust me on this one) First rule: Disconnect the battery ground cable. Always. Step-by-Step Removal 1. Remove the Turn Signal Lever Twist the lever out. If it’s stubborn, use a small crescent wrench on the flat spot found on most originals. 2. Remove Horn Button or Ring Push down and turn left to release.⚠️ Go slow—there’s a spring underneath that likes to make a break for freedom. Inspect horn ring retainer Remove horn brush if equipped 3. Pull the Steering Wheel Use your steering wheel puller (TOOL-3600) and set the wheel aside. 4. Document Wiring (Critical Step) Before disconnecting anything: Take clear photos of wire routing and colors Or write them down if you're going old-school Some 1965+ models use connectors that may require a release tool. 5. Disconnect Wiring Under Dash Unplug the turn signal switch harness from beneath the dash. 6. Remove the Turn Signal Switch Back at the column: Remove the (3) mounting screws ONLY Do NOT remove the two large nuts (unless you enjoy fishing dropped studs out of a column…) Carefully pull the switch upward while feeding the wires out of the column. Installation Process 7. Compare Old vs New Switch Before installing: Match wire colors and count Confirm lever compatibility 8. Install New Switch Feed wires down through the column Seat the switch properly Reinstall the (3) retaining screws 9. Reconnect Wiring Plug into under-dash harness Apply dielectric grease to connections for longevity 10. Reassemble Column Reinstall steering wheel Install horn brush (if applicable) Replace spring, horn button/ring Thread in turn signal lever (don’t over tighten) Final Check (Moment of Truth) Reconnect the battery. Now… No smoke? Good sign. No weird noises? Even better. Turn the key and test: Turn signals Brake lights Horn If everything works—you nailed it.If not… well… time to retrace those wiring steps. Pro Tips from the Shop Floor Always photograph wiring before disassembly—memory lies, photos don’t Replace worn horn components while you’re in there Use dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion issues Never force the switch or lever during install Need the Right Turn Signal Switch? At C&G Ford Parts, we’ve been helping restorers get it right since 1978. Every part we carry is built for proper fitment and factory-correct function—because guessing doesn’t belong in a restoration. 👉 Browse our selection of classic Ford turn signal switches and get your signals back in sync.

Two Water Pumps, Two Sides: Getting the Right Pump for Your 1937–48 Ford Flathead V8   If you’re new to early Ford Flathead V8s, one look under the hood reveals something a little different from most later engines: there are two water pumps—one on each side of the engine. And no, they aren’t interchangeable. For 1937–48 Ford and Mercury passenger cars and 1937–47 Ford pickups equipped with the V8, C&G Ford Parts offers the two pumps you need: 78-8501-B — Right-Hand Water Pump (Passenger Side)78-8502-B — Left-Hand Water Pump (Driver Side) Knowing which is which matters, especially when you’re replacing only one side.   Why Does a Flathead Ford Have Two Water Pumps? The Flathead V8 cooling system reflects the engine’s distinctive architecture. Instead of using one centrally located water pump, Ford used a pump on each bank of the V8 to circulate coolant through the engine and radiator, keeping in mind each side of the engine has a separate cooling jacket. That makes both pumps important to the cooling system. A worn, leaking or noisy pump on either side deserves attention. On a restoration that has been sitting for years—or an engine with an unknown maintenance history—it’s also worth inspecting both pumps rather than assuming the other side is fine simply because only one is leaking.   Right Hand or Left Hand? Here's the Easy Way to Remember It Early Ford parts terminology identifies left and right from the driver's position looking forward, not from somebody standing in front of the car looking into the engine compartment. So: 78-8501-B — RIGHT HAND = Passenger Side 78-8502-B — LEFT HAND = Driver Side Standing in front of the radiator looking toward the engine can make this seem backwards. When in doubt, think of yourself sitting behind the steering wheel. Driver's side is left. Passenger side is right.   78-8501-B Right-Hand Water Pump C&G part number 78-8501-B is the right-hand, or passenger-side, V8 water pump. It fits 1937–48 Ford and Mercury passenger-car applications and 1937–47 Ford pickup applications as listed in our fitment data. This is a bearing-type pump and includes the mounting gasket. If you're looking under the hood from the driver's seat, this is the pump on your right.   78-8502-B Left-Hand Water Pump C&G part number 78-8502-B is its counterpart for the left-hand, or driver's side, of the engine. It covers the corresponding 1937–48 Ford and Mercury passenger-car and 1937–47 Ford pickup V8 applications. Like the right-hand pump, it is designed as the correct side-specific replacement for these early Ford cooling systems. Remember: 8501 = right/passenger side. 8502 = left/driver side. That little bit of Ford part-number knowledge can come in mighty handy the next time you're staring at an old Flathead.   Don't Ignore the Other Side If one water pump has reached the end of its service life, take a close look at the other one while you're there. Check for coolant leakage, shaft play, bearing noise and signs that the pump has been on the engine for a very long time. Replacing a questionable pump while the cooling system is already drained can be considerably easier than doing the job all over again a few months down the road. That doesn't mean both pumps automatically need replacement every time one fails. It means an old Ford deserves an inspection rather than a guess. The 78-8501-PR Left and Right-hand water pumps are a better deal economically at $189.90 for both sides as a set. While you are inspecting under the hood and the hoses are removed, make sure you check your thermostats for the old flathead.   The Right Parts for Your Early Ford These pumps cover a long and popular stretch of Flathead Ford history—from prewar cars and pickups through the immediate postwar years. Getting the correct pump means checking the year, application and which side of the engine you're working on before placing the order. At C&G Ford Parts, we've been helping people keep old Fords on the road since 1978. If you're unsure which pump fits your Ford, Mercury or pickup, give us a call. You'll talk to people who know these cars and actually drive classics themselves. Need the passenger-side pump? Choose 78-8501-B Right-Hand Water Pump. Need the driver's-side pump? Choose 78-8502-B Left-Hand Water Pump. Need both pumps? Choose the 78-8501-PR Right-Hand and Left-Hand Water Pumps as a set. And if, your Flathead needs both, well… Henry gave you two pumps for a reason. Keep it cool. Keep it Ford. And keep it on the road.

Owning or restoring a Ford F100 means that you’ll need easy access to Ford F100 parts whenever you need them. You want the right parts to keep your classic humming along for as long as you own it. If you’ve had your Ford for several years, then you probably already know where to get your hands on Ford F100 parts when you need them. If you don’t know because you haven’t had any issues with the truck until now, there are a lot of different ways you can find what you need. Check out places where other classic vehicle enthusiasts gather and talk to them. You can find groups that hang out on or offline. In some towns, the local drive-in restaurant has an area where classic car owners will gather on the weekends in order to show off their cars. The best place that you can buy Ford F100 parts is from an online store where the employees know about older model cars and trucks and can easily locate or order exactly what you need and ship it right to your doorstep. C&G Ford Parts fits that bill nicely. If you’ve already diagnosed the issue with your Ford and know exactly what part it is that you need, then getting it is going to be fairly simple. But, if like a lot of people, you don’t have in depth knowledge about what could be causing your truck’s issue, the pros can help if they specialize in classic car parts. Many of the employees in a classic auto part business have a love and admiration for the classics and they really know the older vehicles inside and out. Plus, by serving a lot of classic car owners when they have needs, this business more than likely has a lot experience with a wide range of vehicle problems. They may have heard all kinds of stories about what’s going on with the Ford truck and helped other owners with the right Ford F100 parts. Not only will the site know what you’re looking for, but a lot of times, if you ask them how to put a part on, they can tell you how or share online video tutorials with you and save you time. You gain the benefit of their parts knowledge as well as their mechanical knowledge for the same price. What they may suggest and you may find helpful, is to get a catalog of the parts that they do carry so that you’ll have a listing of the parts and the prices. For most classic vehicle owners, they want their F100 truck in pristine condition inside and out. Getting a part that’s “good enough” isn’t enough, they want the best Ford F100 parts.