The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Replacing stomp starter solenoid

Hello all, I have a 1940 Chevy 1.5 ton and would like to get rid of the “stomp” function of the starter. My starter works great but I’m going to replace the 216/crashbox with a 261 and sm420. I’d like to switch out the ignition key with one that would start the truck and get rid of the stomp button on the floor and patch the hole and be done with it. I hate trying to give it gas and start it with my feet, it’s just awkward and doesn’t work that well. And getting rid of another hole In the floor means less cold air coming in the winter.

Looking for advice from someone who has done it.

Buy a car starter.
Jerry

Per Jerry, Looks like a car starter for a 261 will have an electromagnetic starter solenoid on it. That is what you are asking for. To operate the solenoid, you can use the On/Off key switch you have plus a push button or you can use a 55-59 V8 switch. Seen here. This turns on the coil and has a spring loaded momentary rotation for the solenoid.
The are a number of other tricky ways to turn on the coil and energize the solenoid.

I think that some GM (Chev & GMC) COE starters had an electric solenoid?

I think that all Hydra-Matic-equipped GM (Chev & COE) truck starters had electric solenoids.

The 47-54 Chevrolet Truck Factory Assembly Manual Shows:
R.P.O. 327 Solenoid Starter Equipment Instruction
Section 0, Sheet 3.00
Looking at starter it says,
part #1107109 motor assembly

1954 Chevrolet Car Spec sheet PDF page 41 under starter motor it says same part #1107109

The above info tells me, the manual transmission 1954 Chevrolet passenger car starter w/solenoid part #1107109
will work on a 1954 Chevrolet manual tranny truck and probably any series truck.

The instruction shows a cover that is placed over the stomp starter floor button hole and
measurements to place a push to start button switch next to the headlight switch.

I'm not sure if this info applies to a 1940 Chevy 1.5 ton truck, but it does apply to 216, 235 & 261 engines.

Check attached photo

xfiles

I had a foot stomp set-up. I installed the V8 ignition switch with a starter that has a solenoid. Works great. I did it as part of replacing the wiring harness I like it better than the foot stomp scheme, although it was fun to watch the younger guys being befuddled by the foot stomper. Some people do like the old time look of the foot stomper. For me, the efficiency of using the ignition switch to start the vehicle is preferable. Also, when working on the vehicle, it is so much easier just to reach in and start it.
don