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

The truck I bought ('49 GMC) has the starter funcioning with the switch. I asked a while ago if the foot switch functioned instead of the switch for the starter to crank. Back then I assumed the foot just pushed the pinion (mechanically, instead of the solenoid) to meet the flywheel and the actual crank was made by the key switch. Checking a 54 Chevy, that had the foot starter, the pedal actually was a switch to crank, the switch was mainly for current. Is this the normal way of funcioning or my assumpion was right, that the pedal is actuating instead of the solenoid. I'm trying to keep my truck as stock as possible, so footswitch sounded nice, but if the crank was mechanical I didn't wanted to mess with the actual connection with the switch, but if it works as the Chevy, it might be easy to put the pedal to serve as the crank instead of the switch. Thanks for any info.

The Chevy and GMC engines with the automatic transmission had a solenoid-operated starter, while the manual transmission models used the foot switch. Yes, the foot switch does both functions, first engaging the starter gear, and then connecting the electrical circuit with a heavy manual switch. The starters are very different, and don't share many common parts.
Jerry

Well, mine is a 4 speed manual. Guess the guy eliminated completely the original starter. If I would like to operate as it was supposed to, I need to find a stock starter, right? The other question is, although it might not be such a good idea, just use the foot switch to send current to the starter I have and use the key switch just for powering. Is this possible?

Thanks

Yes, it can be done. You'll need to find the foot pedal and the linkage that bolts to the bellhousing, and install a push button starter switch where the stomper linkage can operate it. That would probably be simpler and less expensive than trying to find and fit the original starter and the mechanical linkage.
Jerry

I see mechanical starter linkages for sale on ebay fairly often. I don't know what years would work with your '49. Someone else will have to help with that.

Chinito Quan,

Does you 1949 GMC have a positive ground (as original) or has it been converted to 12v negative ground?

It looks like the foot starter assembly was the same for many years (at least for 47-59 on standard cab GM trucks). However, the 6v and 12v foot-pedal starters were different (to match a 48-55 6v or 55-59 12v truck's flywheel).

Tim:

It is converted to a 12 volt negative ground. In fact, I think the motor is a '55 248, the cab and frame is a 49. Don't know if the 248 came with the foot starter or not. If it didn't, maybe that's why the guy just used the key switch. I guess I'll follow Jerry's suggestion.

Chinito Quan,

I agree with you, it is one of the cool old school aspects of these trucks. Good luck on your restoration of the foot starter.

sounds like you have it figured out but just so you know,
on my '51 chevy the foot pedal will engage the starter and crank the engine over with the key on or off but the engine will only start with the key on.

Same for my '46.

... on my '51 chevy the foot pedal will engage the starter and crank the engine over with the key on or off but the engine will only start with the key on.

"on my '51 chevy the foot pedal will engage the starter and crank the engine over with the key on or off but the engine will only start with the key on"

Same for my 59. In fact I've jumped in put the key in and started talking to someone, then cranked the engine and wondered why it wasn't starting. Took about 5 minutes before I realized I had never turned the key on. Of course, by then it was flooded :-)

That means (assuming I will go for the original setup), I will have to keep the truck doors locked, so my son won't get in the cab and burn the starter motor by playing with the pedal, or maybe (if gears engaged) have a nice trip inside the living room, from the garage?

It might be safer to make the foot pedal act just like a switch to work the solenoid just when the key is on in the switch.

You can make it child proof and original also (unless someone is REALLY snoopy) by using a Ford solenoid. Just mount the Ford solenoid in a discrete place with the cable from the battery on one side and a cable from the other side running on to the battery post on the starter switch. Now run a wire from the battery post side of the Ford type continuous duty solenoid up to your ignition switch "BAT" terminal and a second wire from the ignition switch "ACC" or "IGN" terminal back to the terminal on the Ford solenoid that activates it. When the ignition switch is off EVERYTHING is dead except the one wire up to the ignition switch. We do this to many cars/trucks for fire safety and to prevent battery run down when setting for long periods or if there is a drain in the system. Even though the solenoid looks just like a plain Ford solenoid be sure to ask for a continuous duty unit which runs around twenty bucks.

Evan: Considering I have already a newer starter, the option of a switch operated buy foot that activates the solenoid of the starter, that works only when the key switch is on, will work almost as you explained with the old starter. Right?