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| | | Forums66 Topics128,049 Posts1,055,658 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 46 | I am looking for wiring direction to install a push button in my 1951 3100 pick up with a 235 stomp starter. I want to keep my current stomp system to engage the starter to flywheel and a button to activate the starter. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 | Why?
I don't mean to meddle in your business, I'm just curious- is the starting circuit causing problems?
Brad Wrench Fetcher, PhD | | | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 | If I understand you correct, you'd like to press the starter pedal for an infinite amount of time, then just send battery juice to the starter via a push button- sort of a two-step starting process? Looking at a 12v foot actuated starter (no electrical solenoid), I don't believe there is a reasonable work around to having it both ways...but I do see that it could be done. Do you have 12v or 6v? Edit- this diagram will show the starter switch, or "push button", if you will, that is already in place on top of the starter. The foot-actuated starter in the diagram is common in these trucks. Brad
Last edited by Uncle Brad; 01/05/2016 4:01 AM. Reason: link
Wrench Fetcher, PhD | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,767 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,767 | Yes, it would be possible to do that, but it would require a solenoid switch similar to one used by Ford between the battery and the starter. You could engage the gear drive and press the button switch on the starter, then push a starter button to power up the solenoid and send the battery voltage to the starter. The burning question would be "WHY?" Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 | I used a later model 12 volt starter with a solenoid. Then a push button to activate the starter. Eliminates the foot starter. I agree with Lincoln....Why make the process "more steps" instead of less, or easier?
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 46 | Thanks for the opinions and advice...I agree "Why" ..now looking to use an early starter motor with solenoid to covert to the starter button. For now the good old stomp starter will have to do. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | The old stomp starter is part of the appeal of these old trucks. If it works well, why change? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Why?
I don't mean to meddle in your business, I'm just curious- is the starting circuit causing problems?
Brad The foot pedal starter seems to cause enough problems (in a poorly maintained truck) that a lot people stomp on the pedal/button. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 385 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 385 |
Last edited by wolffcub; 01/08/2016 7:13 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 385 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 385 | The reason i did mine was because my daughter loves to be in my truck with me as i work and i don't want any mistakes to happen and second is because at time my starter teeth would not properly engage before cranking. Now i can tap it a few times if i have to to get it to engage then crank it over. Plus it kinda cool and gets lots and lots of comments at car meets. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 | I snatched an email address for all of my truck business (this website) & picture sharing as soon as I learned why people called it a "stomp starter"...
The very first part I had to replace (aside from battery, oil filter, etc, etc) on my truck was the starter switch. When I removed the old switch off of the starter I knew the last thing it ever needed was to be stomped on. But I didn't know that beforehand. I thought "stomp starter" was just a Southern description of the trucks' ignition until I joined up here.
Whether people call it a 'Foot-actuated mechanical starting device' (and never get a second date) or 'Stomp starter' I don't care as long as they keep the thing in the trucks. It is the #1 most distinguishable aspect of the truck and/or period that gets removed (aside from rust and the inline 6 engine, but I'll hush on that).
Brad Wrench Fetcher, PhD | | | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 | Doing a 250 swap in mine. I plan to set up the foot starter linkage to activate a solenoid for the 250's 12v starter and have the key handle the ignition like stock. I wanna keep my foot start. But, to each his own.
Larry W.
1953 3800 Dually Flatbed
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 385 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 385 | you can simply ditch all the linkage system and just get a momentary push switch and mount it to the floor and fab a original foot button to the top. No one will ever know and its less to go wrong and less work. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 273 | you can simply ditch all the linkage system and just get a momentary push switch and mount it to the floor and fab a original foot button to the top. No one will ever know and its less to go wrong and less work. Good point, BUT, I want to kinda keep the feel of the original. I'll figure it out when I get to it, but it will involve at least some of the original parts and probably one of the original type starter contacts. Thanks, Larry W.
1953 3800 Dually Flatbed
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,146 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,146 | Yes, it would be possible to do that, but it would require a solenoid switch similar to one used by Ford between the battery and the starter. You could engage the gear drive and press the button switch on the starter, then push a starter button to power up the solenoid and send the battery voltage to the starter. The burning question would be "WHY?" Jerry Something like THIS Google> STARTER SOLENOID RELAY 6 VOLT If you keep the original 6 volt battery the relay you use will have to handle a lot of amperage. Or Puff the magic dragon when you push/turn the ignition switch/button. You could hide it under the cab where no one would see it. You don't need the amp wire in the pic. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 7 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 7 | I just put everything back in mine so It will work as designed, It takes away from the Truck not having it IMHO, I remember My Dads old Truck had it when I was a kid (Late 50s) and I thought it was cool that I could jump in it and make the truck move without the Key in it | | |
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