The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Foot stomp starter

52 chevy with 6 cylinder engine. Started having a problem with the foot stomp. The starter drive appears to hit the flywheel, not allowing the starter lever to contact the starter switch. Should the foot movement spin the starter drive to mesh with the flywheel, and then continued movement presses on the starter switch to turn the engine over? Not sure why the starter drive is not engaging the flywheel. If I press the starter button with my hand, and rotate the starter, but not the engine, I can then get it to engage properly. Maybe the bendix is worn out? Thanks.

I had a problem where my starter wouldn't engage the flywheel consistently. Sometimes it would work, and sometimes not. I also assumed it was the Bendix, but after taking the starter apart I found the real problem. The arm that engages the Bendix was worn out. I couldn't find where to buy a replacement one, so I improvised with skateboard bearings, which have now been working just fine for 3 years. Sorry the pictures are a little blurry

Thanks Greg..Good idea there...I will take a look at the arm when I get it removed..Thanks..Tommy

Tech tip...Anyone?

Rebuilders fix the worn yokes by welding and reshaping the contact patch between the yoke and the starter drive (It's NOT a "Bendix"). No need to get high-tech on a simple fix.
Jerry

I have just the reverse problem. The starter switch doesn't make contact always unless you really mash the pedal. I replaced the switch many years ago and hoped to adjust it a little closer but there are not slots on the switch for adjustment. So I wrapped some coat hanger around the lever where it hits the switch and that worked for some years. But somewhere along the line the coat hanger disappeared.I don't remember why. So now I just live with it but I'd like to permanently fix it. At one time the pedal was adjusted too far into the cross shaft and it hit the bell housing before the starter switch closed but that's not the problem now as far as I can tell; my x-ray vision is on the fritz. Maybe something got bent. Maybe I'll wrap some more coat hanger on it but that looks shoddy, works though.

Tommy, buy a single-serve soft drink in a plastic bottle, drink it, ands slip the plastic cap from the empty bottle over the switch button. If it wears out or gets lost, a replacement part is as close as your nearest convenience store!
Jerry

As to the OP question, 6 volt starter drives and armatures have straight splines, so the drive doesn't rotate as the lever is pushed. That was changed in mid-year 1955 with the 12 volt starter, which has angled drive lugs that rotate the gear a little as the pedal is pushed. It's possible the teeth on the drive unit and/or the flywheel have gotten worn flat, resulting in the gear jamming against the flywheel teeth instead of the gears meshing. The starter armature isn't supposed to begin turning until the gears are fully meshed. That is determined by the geometry between the shift linkage and the push button on the starter housing.
Jerry

Over the years I have had the copper contact in the mechanical switch box come loose where it is pressed into the top of unit (large copper lug), This will cause intermittent dead zone. I was just a kid so I kept stomping harder and harder. Had to replace two things then. Doc.

"If you have to stomp on your foot-pedal starter, either you, or your starter, or your engine, has a problem."

It is only a stomp-starter if you have a starting system that need maintenance (mechanical and/or electrical and/or personal).

Sadly, people often post questions about their stomp starter. That confirms that either that person and/or their starting system has a problem.

I wanted to recite your statement Jerry but I didn't want to hurt any feelings. The GM manual calls it a foot activated mechanical starter. Reminds me of my Grandfather, he got the first Model A in Peoria, and everyone came to see it on the farm on a Sunday, complete with a large potluck dinner. When he was asked why he didn't get the electric foot starter he told everyone you must think I'm crazy, if that thing backfires it will break my leg.Ed

Try kick-starting an old Harley Davidson and forgetting to turn the left hand grip to the "spark retard" position- - - - -that thing will launch you over the handle bars!
Jerry

Uh yeah Jerry, I was about 14 and tried to start my brothers, all 97 lbs. of me. Ended up grabbing a limb in a maple tree. Ed

take note of the angle of the starter as it extends from the floorboard and then pay attention to the angle your of your foot as it depresses the starter. the natural inclination is to press in a downward direction toward the floorboard when you should be pressing toward the firewall. on my 52 it takes much less effort and depresses much easier when i pay attention.

The European and Brit sports cars from the 1950's had the gas pedal and brake set up to "heel and toe" during double clutching while downshifting. The stovebolt gas pedal and starter pedal arrangement works the same way. A simple push with the toe of a shoe is all that's needed- - - -no stomping required!
Jerry

Never cared for the term "stomp starter" too much, of course "floor mounted electric starter motor actuator" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue either.

I completely agree.

foot-operated/actuated starter (direct contact type)
or
electric solenoid type actuated by key turn or by dash-mounted push-button (as used on Hydra-Matics)
1954 Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual

If you have to stomp on your starter pedal, either you have a personal problem and/or your starter has a mechanical/electrical problem.

Dictionary definition : stomp - tread heavily and noisily, typically in order to show anger

Jerry, I tried the pop bottle cap trick and it works fine. I enjoyed the drink too.

"I love it when a plan comes together"! Good show!
Jerry

Thank you papas52 and Jerry. Always learning, always forgetting. Always pushed down all these years (like 56 years). Doc.