The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Starter Linkage Problem or?

Sometimes when I try to start my 1950 3600 nothing happens as I press the floor button, other times it cranks right away. When it's misbehaving, I might try 20 or 30 times and nothing and then suddenly it works. Sometimes, I don't have the patience to keep stomping and I get out, pop the hood and use a tire iron to pry against the firewall and linkage and it fires right up. I suspect the contacts on the starter mounted switch have become eroded and I have bought a replacement switch but wonder if there is a way to adjust the travel on the starter button linkage. I seem to recall that I added some washers somewhere to help with this but there was no change on the spotty operation. Anybody ever have this problem and how did you fix it?

A twist top off a Coke bottle is just the right size to slip over the push button on the starter switch. It's a band-aid fix, but it works. Check the pivot points in the pedal linkage for wear- - - -you'll probably find some oval holes and worn linkage. Also look for worn out brushes or a burned spot on one of the armature commutator bars. If it stops in the wrong place, the brushes won't make contact until the armature gets moved a little.
Jerry

I think I have heard of the "repair" before but thanks for the reminder. Yes, I'm sure the holes in the linkage are bit wallowed out but that will have to remain for now. I am fairly sure that the starter motor itself is okay as it never fails to start with the tire iron method.