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Hi All,

My new used motor is a 55-56, 235 with a solenoid actuated starter. It is going into my 1950 truck with a manual foot starter. Can anyone tell me how to wire the solenoid on the starter? Can I use the foot starter on a solenoid starter fly wheel? I did a search and could not find an answer.

Thanks!

You will need to modify the starter to accept the foot starter. The two systems are different in design one is mechanical and the other is electric to engage and actuate starter. Pick the foot starter and you will need to keep the old flywheel, starter and linkage. Flywheel should just bolt up and then you will keep the same tooth patern and make it doable. If you want to go electric look here for 54 manual and follow the wiring diagram.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1954truck/index.html

The foot starter engaged the gears and activated the starter through a switch mounted on top of it.
If you want to retain the flavor of the foot start, you could probably wire a switch (maybe a brake light switch) between the 'run' side of the key switch and the solenoid. Or, even straight from the battery, if you want to be able to bump the engine at tune-up time. Mount the switch on the bell housing so the original cross bar from the foot starter will activate it.

Just re-read your question. I don't think the teeth are the same. That's one reason that those who change to a T5 trans have to find the right clutch disc, so they can keep their original flywheel and foot starter. If you have the flywheel off your old engine, you might be able to swap it to the new one.

Good luck.

If you use the bellhousing & flywheel from the 50 you can use the original floor starter. If you use the houseing & flywheel from the 55-6 you will need a 55 up starter to use the foot starter. To use the selinoid starter you will run a 12 gauge wire from the S term. on the selinoid to the S term on a key turn ign. switch. If you use a dash push button switch you will hook the wire to one term & the other term to always hot wire. Run a 16-18 gauge wire from the R term on the selinoid to the Ign. coil bat term. piggybacking the wire from the ign. resister.

You must use the '50 bellhousing or build new mounts for the later housing. I would use the '50 6V flywheel and starter. The floor button has a higher cool factor than electric solenoid.