The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Foot starter 3100 216 1/2 t

I'm experiencing more and more difficulty engaging the starter with the starter button. It is becoming progressively worse. What should be checked or replaced? I'm not aware of any adjustments. Or is it the starter? The starter seems fine when engaged. It usually takes a couple of stomps to get any response. Thanks for yours input.

Make sure there is nothing (floor mat, insulation) impeding full movement of the stomper. Find something (bottle beer cap?) to put over the "button" on the starter switch. See if that "fixes" the problem. If so, remove the switch and see if you can clean up the contacts. Or just replace the switch.

Thank you. I like your approach.

Nothing on floor affecting the foot button on the floor. I plan to replace the starter switch which is on top of the starter... I assume that will resolve the difficulty in getting the starter to engage which was requiring some hard stomps.

I would disconnect negative battery cable and carefully study and inspect the lever and linkage under hood. Operate lever by hand without foot pedal. The set up is supposed to slide pinion gear into mesh with flywheel gear and at the same time bush button. See if slide/mesh looks good and button switch clicks. You can assume and replace if you want. There are other tests if you want to test first. There are lot's of things it can be.
We do need much more detailed explanation, tests and some questions to narrow the list. It's what we do. Won't be hard to find the issue.

So until narrowed by test, logic, repair or replacement:
1. Battery
2. Starter or lug on starter
3. Linkage/pedal/worn out pivot points
4. Button switch
5. Ground cables
6. Pos cables
7. Generator/voltage regulator
8. Motor "lock"/ loose belt/other long shot stuff

First thing I would actually do, but do not suggest if you are not comfortable, is.....
Have someone inside cab put trans in neutral, apply brake...... you take plug wire off of center distributor tower and operate lever under hood to slide pinion out and let lever bush button down all the way to see if motor cranks. Or do that alone if no helper. Do it 6+ times. If each time works. Do it from inside cab using foot pedal. That can give a big clue very fast and eliminate many items on list. Report findings and/or decisions.

Personally I do not like the word "stomp" thusly that may be part of the problem. Take notice of the location and position of the starter actuator then apply a firm and gentle pressure with the foot in a forward and downward direction. The actuator is mounted on the angled firewall portion while most people try to push straight down. Additionally, observe all pivot points for lubrication, there is one on drivers side top of bell housing and passenger side. I also place a small dap on grease at point of contact on starter.

Thank you for your responses. They are really appreciated.

I did replace the starter switch. This required the removal of the starter motor just to remove the pesky screws used to secure the switch. I replaced those with bolts in case they ever need to be removed again. I did clean off the contact on the starter motor.

Unfortunately upon pushing the foot button now there is absolutely no engagement even with several pushes. Sounds like time to do tests to narrow down the actual problem.

I ended up putting the points back in the distributor and the truck ran fine once it was started. Now I'm back to the problem with the starter.

I read another recent post concerning the foot starter which showed that there is some adjustment. Also there was information about placing a bottle cap on the switch button. That worked. I was barely able to extend the rod adjustment to get the starter switch to engage. It is working without the cap.

My question now is what is wearing down to require this? The linkage is fine and I replaced the starter switch thinking it was worn.. The floorboard is fine. I don't see any visible cause. I am wondering if.this may reoccur. I'll keep a cap of some type in the glove compartment.

The other post on the foot starter helped.

There might be some adjustability in the positioning of the starter pedal linkage where it bolts to the bell housing. Maybe moving those forward or backward as far as the hole will allow. Also, there may be some wear in those bolt-on brackets, or maybe the pivot point for the lever on the starter itself is worn.
Just throwing out some ideas.

Thanks I may be adding a bottle cap to the starter switch button. Just need one that fits so it stays I n place.