The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Little details, like a Foot Stomp Starter cleanup

I’ll but you’ve all had one of these apart and I’ll bet you old timers are aware that the shaft is 1/8”- 27 NPT and that the button is 1/8” –27 NPS. But I’m posting this for some of the new guy that are coming along so they don’t screw the threads up trying to use a standard tap and die.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/129274293/large
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/129274292/large

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

When I was cleaning mine up I did notice the difference although I didn't do any actual thread measurement as the threads were in good shape and just needed brushing. Was there any practical reason they were threaded that way? Just another GM anomaly perhaps?

Denny, thanks for that heads up. I seem to be fairly skilled at either snapping bolts (even after prepping with penetrating oil) or screwing up threads. Also, nice to see "how" that comes apart for when I get to that part.

Sure, the reason was so the threads would lock up and not unscrew. The straight thread on the one part locks up when threaded onto the tapered thread of the other.
Locktight hadn't been invented till 1953 and it didn't really come into general use until the late 50's or early 60's.
DG

I'll be darn. Thanks, Denny.

Mr.Denny,
I'm in the process of installing a sbc(327) into my'48 chevy and I want to keep the foot stomp starter. Do you know of a way I can do that and use my starter pedal and rubber boot so it will look original? Folks now days don't have a clue what it is when they see it in the floor. lol

Thanx for your help!

Mike

Mike - the V8s never used the foot start, there's no place on the bellhousing to mount the necessary linkage - might work out a way to fake it with a dash style push button switch under the floor

Bill

Thanx Bill ,
but there has to be a way . with a welder, grinder,lots of colorful words and crossed fingers somebody did this sometime somewhere.
Just have to find them. Even if there was a way to mount the switch in the floor........no linkage just wires,
but how do i mount the pedal to the switch and then use the rubber boot to hide everything? I have been thinking about it but just cannot come up with the right switch or bracket.
Thats why I thought I would ask you guys.

The button the dash is my last option.

Mike

Mike, don't want to sound like a stiff shirt but, if your've gone to the point of installing a SBC and I would assume other street rod mods then I can't see why retainting the foot stomp starter would interest you. If I were to choose the path that you have I'd simply be using a key start.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Mr.Denny,

I love the looks of my 'ol truck and just like the original front axle and battery box under the floor bd.(i kept) somethings need to be left alone, thats why I would like the floor stomp pedal.
Im not trying to make it all street rod, just the drivetrain a little updated.
Thanx for listening.
Mike

We did this on my buddy's 53 panel-I left the stomp pedal & linkage, but I welded a bracket to hold a push button boat starter switch(all brass) just at the bottom of the firewall on the engine side. Ran the wires to the V8 starter.

Hey 64fleetside you wouldnt happen to have any pics would ya?
Sounds like just what I need !!!!!!
Thanx

nahh, no pics-it was on my buddy's rig, I just made a simple right angle bracket to hold the button using a MIG welder.

Here's what I did to keep my foot starter when I went to a 261/700r4 combo: get an International Harvester tractor foot starter at the local Tractor Supply or online by doing a search and go from there.

It's a simple electric button that looks very much like a dimmer switch. As I had previously converted the metal stomp starter pedal face to a rubber one, I just bored out the center to fit over the switch after stretching out the rubber bellows. To keep your original metal face you'll have to fabricate a cover/clamp/stem system to screw the pedal face onto the switch button. If you have questions, send me a personal message.

Thanx 56picup,
I have the linkage from my 6 so I think I'll mount that with the metal face and let the linkage do the work somewhere near the tranny. Just a matter of making the bracket and getting the right start button.
I'm gonna do like 64fleetside reccomended.

HAGD,
Mike

Have you thought of building a bracket that your foot stomp could slid into (hole at top and bottom). Drill two hole that would slide a pin though at the top and bottom of the shaft to allow you to trap a spring between the pins, the pins also keep your shaft trapped. That way you can mount the push button under it, When you push on the foot stomp to contact the push button the spring gives you the resistance and brings the pedal back to its original position. Kind of how the spring in a retractable ink pen works.