Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,026 Posts1,055,405 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 40 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 40 | anybody ever installed a push button ignition before? i could use a DIY link i want to use it w/ a toggle switch. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 295 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 295 | Ignition or starter motor?
Dan Bentler | | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 40 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 40 | | | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 295 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 295 | Think I would use a toggle switch for ignition - up for on down for off.
Use a momentary button switch for starter.
Assuming I am reading your mind right.
Dan Bentler | | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 474 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 474 | | | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 40 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 40 | switching the toggle to the on position makes the push botton hot to start the truck.and when shuting truck off just move the toggle to off position,correct? or is the a better way? | | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | the way the factory did it is the better way  are you talking about haywiring that beautiful black truck? got a bad starter solenoid or ignition switch? Bill | | | | | Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 40 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 40 | i thought about it but i found and corrected the problem.ignition switch was bad that's a first for me, anyway problem solved. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | Would a push button be a good alternative for the floor mash pad? Isn't that what is in the early 50s GMCs?
Dennis -there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | yes, push buttons are fine, lots of older vehicles used them - but you'd need a different starter, one with a solenoid on it like the key start type
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | Thanks. The 216 out of a 52 chevy car (which I have on an engine stand) has this whole enchilada set-up. It is 6 volt. If I go to a 235 and 12 volt - what kind of solenoid would I need? Would it be the 'pot' looking thing that mounts on the firewall?
Dennis -there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | no, you'd need to switch to the later type starter that has the solenoid attached, and the flywheel/ring gear that matches - or find a car 235 that's already a key start 12V
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | Over the weekend I was searching the web on generators and starter conversion. On Hotrodders they said just change out the solinoid from 6 volt to 12 volt.
So, in my case, I can change the generator from 6 volt to 12 volt (I have this) and the solinoid and I am converted to 12 volt.
Does this sound right?
Dennis -there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | do you currently have a solenoid type 6V starter? [that'd be from a car] if yes, then if there's a 12V solenoid to fit that'd work, but if you have the foot start version, you can't add the solenoid to that
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | I got the engine out of a 52 chevy car. It has the solinoid starter. I also noticed NAPA has a 12 volt solinoid starter for $40 and the solinoid is $16. But Hotrodders said the 6 volt starter is fine - just change out the solinoid.
Dennis -there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | keep it cheeep  yep, the 6 volt starter will spin'er over better than ever on 12V, just don't keep on it for long periods or you'll let the smoke out Bill | | |
| |