The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Why wouldn't I want a stomp starter? 1954 Chevy 3604

So one of the previous owners removed the foot stomp linkage and original starter, installed a solenoid starter and push button plus key switch ignition. So I can either turn the key to on and push the button or just use the key to start the engine . I've thought about "putting it back to the way it was", I've researched and found all of the components and just when I'm ready to hit the "buy" button the question that keeps coming to mind is - why did someone change it in the first place ? Were there issues with the stomp starter set-up that I should know about and that if I knew them would be thankful I have the modern set-up ? Advice from some of you experienced folks would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Ronnie -- some of the experts will chime in I'm sure, but I still run a stomp starter on three trucks and I see no advantage to changing. There is the coolness factor as well as the security factor -- how many people under 50 (who aren't into old vehicles) would even know what it is or how to start it?

Just my opinion, but I think with a stomp starter, chicks will dig you, men will want to be you, boys will pretend to be you, deer will drop dead at the thought of you, fish will leap into your boat and dogs will instantly obey you. Trust me, your truck is WAY cooler with the stomp starter.


John

I don't care how they start as long as they DO start. If I forget to leave a note with my 37 Buick (step down on foot feed) or 49 Studebaker PU (step down firmly on clutch pedal) at the tire store or any other place my phone will be ringing for help. Had a Mercedes that you pulled the shift lever back toward the steering wheel while in neutral---that one really blew their minds. 37 Fords had a push button start switch on the dash and now 80 years later the TV commercials on new cars act like it's a super new deal. The Fords also locked the steering column when the key was removed.

Despite just starting to drive my truck, I love the stomp start and it is funny to look at people's faces who have no clue what the extra peddle on the floor is!

Chris

I love mine also I let lots of people ( especially young ) try it ! they never ever have seen one , or a Manual Trans
Just one more reason to keep it stock , street rod out of my truck ??? NO WAY

There is the possibility that the PO was unable to find a stomp start type strater so he changed it over to push button.

I have to agree with John. The coolness factor and security. Also I like to keep my truck mostly the way it was built.

I too have a mechanical stomp starter on my 39 Chevy truck, and my 29 Ford Model A. Along with electronic solenoid key/push button systems, came neutral safety switches, that prevented starting a vehicle while it is in gear. With a foot stomper, neutral and the emergency brake are a definite necessity. Four pedals, clutch, brake, gas, and starter, and only two feet. Too much for some folks to figure out. Some of my farm tractors with manual transmissions have a push button start that won't function unless the tractor is in neutral. My 72 Chevy Nova wouldn't start unless I had the clutch pedal pushed down to prevent it from starting in gear.

Rick

Viva the stomp starter LOL.
I took the 49 to one of those oil change shops for it's 1st 3k oil change after I got it running mainly so I could get the tranny and rearend checked and topped off . I took my own 15w40 oil so they knocked $10 off the price. They were all younguns and were all over it. One of them jumped in it to start it up and he couldn't figure it out. Another came over to help and they both searched high and low for the starter button. After a good laugh I pointed out the stomp starter pedal. Afterwards I let all 4 of them shut it down then restart it as none of them had ever operated a stomp starter.

That is exactly how to handle it.


This is the new correct answer to this situation.

Brad

Friend had me get his 1940 Chevy truck running after setting for quite some years. He was having an auction and wanted to sell it. It ran great. During the auction the auctioneer leaped in the cab to show the folks how well it ran. His comment was it must have a dead battery, it isn't turning over with the key. My friends son, at the auction came up to me and asked me about the truck, told him it runs great. He got that truck for $700. At the close of the bidding on the truck I jumped in the cab, turned on the ignition, hit the foot stomper, and the engine roared to life. Auctioneer was not a happy camper.

Rick

There's people out there that you could give them the key to our trucks, and they still couldn't steal them. ;-)

OK, you fella's got me convinced that I should put it back to the way it was. Thanks to each of you for your comments and John. you are a "word-smith" of the highest order, you put a big smile on my face just reading your opinion.