The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk foot starter

i wasnt shure where to post this so i did it here.i was just wondering if someone could explane to me how the foot starter in these trucks work?and any info i would need to know when i put it back together?

When the foot starter is pressed, it, via the linkage, closes the contacts on the starter switch that is mounted on the top of the starter, energizing the starter and engaging its pinion with the flywheel. There's not much in putting it back together - you just want to make sure the switch on the starter is in good condition and that the linkage engages it properly.
Samantha

Just to add to this, the starter pinion is mechaically engaged by the linkage. You can actually feel it engage pack through the pedal, then when the peasal is pressed a bit further, it closes the contacts to energize. Also, on 12 volt trucks ('55-59 w/6 cylinder) it also energizes the resistor bypass to feed 12 volts to the coil for startup.

It's also a good theft deterrent because most people don't know how to start a stomper.

thanks guess it seems pretty simple,but what about the key?

The key simply turns the ignition on. Another nice thing about this arrangement is that you can spin the engine (like for a compression check) without turning the ignition on (if you don't have a bypass wire between the coil and starter, that is).

I agree with the "theft deterrence" point. When I first got the firetruck, I didn't know what it was. I'd turn the ignition and figured it just wouldn't start. My Dad had to tell me about it. That was embarrassing....

First time I took my truck to the local oil change place, they had no idea how to start it. They had to come and get me. They were all amazed when I turned the key, stepped on the starter and the truck fired right up.

I have a funny foot starter story...

My mom's family is populated with gearheads, and one of her cousins has a 1936 Plymouth Business Coupe with a foot starter.

One day last year, it started hailing, and two of my uncles (the oldest and the youngest) decided they'd do Jim a favor and put his Plymouth in the garage. The younger uncle was going to put it away.

They sat there and sat there, and I finally went out to see what the problem was.

My uncle rolls down the window. "It's not turning over!"

I ask, "Are you using the stomper?"

He replies, "Yeah... See?"

I lean in and look to see what his foot is doing...

...And I can't believe that my older uncle (who is sitting in the passenger seat) didn't say anything.

"Uncle Gary," I said, trying not to laugh, "That's the dimmer switch."

At least he knew there WAS a stomper.

In cases like that, it's even more fun to get in the truck, turn the key to on, hold both of your hands over the dashboard, and say "Start, truck" while hitting the starter with your foot. Some of the expressions you will see are priceless.

A downside of not telling a shop how to start the truck is that they can twist the ignition key until the ignition switch or key breaks.

When we were little, my dad forgot to turn the key on his car. The stomper didn't do squat so we kids all had to push it down the road. It wouldn't push start either. It finally dawned on him that the key wasn't turned.

I think I have the only 8 year old(daughter by the way) that knows how to start a truck with a foot stomper. She just loves it!

A lady told me that her first car was a '41 Studebaker. The salesman started it up and then let her drive it. She agreed to buy it and he delivered it to her where she was going to beautician school. The car was running when she went to it so she slid in, drove him back to the dealership, and then drove home and turned it off. Next morning she got up to go to school and couldn't find a starter button. Finally called the salesman and he came over and showed her the starter button under the clutch pedal.

I took my truck to the local oil change place one day since I was in a hurry to get out of town. Since there is no filter or wiper fluid, etc, I tried to negotiate a better price but they wouldn't budge. When the kid trying to move it in asked if it was an automatic, (its 3 on the tree) I began to have visions of a ruined flywheel if he found the stomper. I volunteered to move it in, but they said that was against regulations so I took it home and did it myself and saved some cash, plus who know what else.

I live in canada and we have to go through aircare to get our anual insurance...The kid blew my 3 speed tranny trying to get it up to 60 kmh in first then trying to get it in second on a dyno...he thought it was an auto too cause the shifter is on the colum... well 1500 bucks later I uped my Gvw to 5500 kgs and Now I dont need aircare...problem solved..
James

When I convert to a small block in my 55 2nd series, do I need to by a different set up to maintain the foot starter? Personnally, I like the foot starter and would like to maintain that set up.

You won't be able to use the foot starter with the V-8 as it is not compatable. When I did my V-8 conversion I fabricated a plate to hold the starter pedal in the original location. It still gets noticed and people ask what it is.
Fred

You could mount a push button starter switch like tractors have under your stomper somewhere under the hood so it will actually be functional. I would think it would be a simple fab job to get going,
Scott

A couple of the guys here have done just that. The starter Button switches are available at your FLAPS. Do a search of the forums to find out how they did it.

I'm using a starter button for my horn, as it's wired in straight through, and I kept burning up horn buttons.

It doesn't happen any more!

would the 216 foot starter linkage be the same as on a 62' 235 belaire

No. Cars didn't use the foot starter after '48. And trucks stopped after '59.

do you know if it would be possible to rig it up to work or is it completly different set up?

53chevyman,

Are you asking if a foot-starter mechanism from a 1953 216 could be used on a '62 (Belaire) 235 mounted in a 1953 truck?

Tim

yeah, i saw a good engine for sale and i want to switch to a full pressure 235 but keep the foot start(its one of my favorite things)but if i cant then ill just keep looking for a truck engine with a 235 in it

As long as you used the belhpusing from the 216, and perhaps the flywheel as well if you keep it 6 volt, then yes, it will bolt up. The linkage actually mounts to the bellhousing rather than the block.

K thanks thats what i needed to hear

Someone will correct me quickly, I hope.

You might have to put the correct (216-truck-style) front motor mount on the 235.

Put the 53 truck 216 pressure plate, clutch assembly, and bell housing on the 62 (Belair) 235.

Mount the 53 foot-starter assembly on the 53 216 truck bell housing.

The 53 truck 6v starter will work fine.

Someone, please quickly correct me if I am wrong.

Tim

I think you've got it covered. I forgot about the front mount.

yah thanks for all the help,i didnt want to go into it blind,ive decided to buy the engine and just do what you guys said to do,Longbox you said that i need to keep it six volt,just wondering why and if i could use some kind of volt reducer,im just asking cause the 62's a 12 volt and i was doin the switch anyhow,but ill keep it six if i have to.

The 6 volt starter will be fine on 12, it doesn't run long enough to really make a difference (besides, it'll actually work better on 12!! ), I only mention it because of the flywheels. There is a difference in the tooth spacing between the 6 and 12 volt flywheels and the corresponding starter drives. As long as you use matching parts (6 volt starter with 216 flywheel or 12 volt starter ('55-'59 truck for stomper) and 235 flyhweel) you'll be just fine. Either way, you will want to use the 216 bellhousing and fron plate.

Some of the '54 and up truck bellhousings I've seen still have the flat spots on the top of the bellhousing for the stomper linkage to mount, but you need to drill and tap for the crossover bar mounts. It should be easy.