VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Upholstery - Interiors & Glass 36 Cigar lighter--where to mount on dash

Hello,

I have the accessory "cat's eye" lighter for the 36 Chevrolet.

Where is this normally mounted on the dash--in this case a 36 standard FC?

Anyone have tips for mounting the lighter?

I've seen the picture in the repro accessories guide, but was wondering there were more exact specifications--for example, 2 inches to the right of the ignition switch and up on inch, or something like that.

Thanks!

Are you sure that you have a 1936 lighter?The 1936 has a gray marbeled knob about 1 1/2" in diameter...It does have an "eye" in the center.

Most refer to the small chrome knob with "eye" in the center that was used from 1937-48 as a "cats eye"..This style has a well in the dash that the element fits into.The 1936 and older have a flush unit mounted on the dash.

Checked all my pictures etc. and can't find a 1936 with a lighter.

Yep, it is the gray marbled knob about that size with a green "eye" in the center. It is used, but in very good condition. The hookup wire is there and in excellent condition. I assuming that the metal housing grounds against the dash since there is not a secondary ground wire--only the hot.

I can tell that a hole (mayby 1/4"--haven't measured exactly) needs to be drilled in the dash to flush mount it. So before drilling into a virgin dash, I wanted to be sure where it should go. The original accessories booklet for 36 shows a picture, but I was wondering if there anyone had measurments for where to put on the dash.

Since it was probably installed by the dealers, maybe they used a long lost template. Or maybe it varied in location.

Also, I have the accessory heat guage for the 36 standard installed--also used but works fine. I have it mounted in the radio control dial spot since the existing 2" hole in the dash is a perfect fit. I took an extra delete radio delete plate and drilled out a 2" diameter hole in it. The accessory manual shows the heat guage mount over to the left side of the dash, but I didn't want to drill a 2" hole there. Plus, other folks have said that the accessory gauge was often mounted in the delete plate--and it is an exact fit in the existing hole. So, after this rambling, I am not sure if the heat guage would be in the way if mounting the cigar lighter close to there.

Thanks for the information!