Jim, the foot starter was the same configuration from way back - when they went to 12V they had to add the ign resistor to keep from burning up coils and points, but the resistor in the coil line makes for harder starting, especially if the battery is a bit weak or the ignition system less then prime, hence they needed a trick to ease starting ... enter a very slightly different actuator for the starter that had an extra terminal on the side to provide a source of full voltage
only when cranking - and they put that new style actuator on the 12V starter, exactly the same as the one on the 6V starter, that didn't have the extra terminal
all that's happened is some one who worked on your starter replaced the actuator with an older style, which was common on tractors and may still be readily available
you could get an internally resisted coil as Stuart says [many folks do, at least for the V8] or you could find the correct starter actuator - and the correct ign sw's are also readily available .... like I prolly have some in the stash for the foot start
Bill
