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| | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 150 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 150 | I'm needing to get a rebuilt starter for my 54. It has a foot starter button. The thought crossed my mind before i order that i might want to switch over to a key start. Would all i have to do is buy the one with the starter solenoid on it and wire it to a new key switch? | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy gtreasur, you would have to order a six volt starter for a Hydramatic equipped truck, or a Powerglide equipped car, in order to get the correct starter drive gear for your flywheel. The Hydramatic starter is very rare and expensive if you find one, the Powerglide starter would be easier to find and should work, but I have no personal experience with the swap. As you said you would have to wire a push button to control the solenoid, hope that helps. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | Unless you have some particular reason to change to a key switch, you might consider leaving it the way it is. The foot starter is simple and dependable. It also has the charm that comes from being unusual.
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 150 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 150 | Thanks guys, I do kind of like the unusual aspect of the foot start, It was just a thought i had and wondered what it would involve. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
Just in case you are interested, there is information below about a 6v solenoid-starter for a truck. I would use the foot-actuated starter.
A 1954 6v Hydra-Matic solenoid-equipped starter is available from Chevs of the 40s for about $270 (including a $100 core charge and the solenoid).
The "snout" of the Hydra-Matic starter (the part that goes into the flywheel cover) is different from the "snout" for a truck clutch housing. I do not know if the "snout" and drive gear for the Hydra-Matic will match up with a truck flywheel and clutch housing. It works on 1954 (and other similarly-equipped 6v years) passenger cars and Dubl-Duty trucks and Hydra-Matic-equipped trucks.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 29 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 29 | foot starter works as a theft deterent too!
had someone find there truck with the key switch yanked out of the dash and wires cut and sripped, but the truck was not moved. guessing the thief didn't realize that you can't jump across the switch to start it?
Too Many Projects, not enough time
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 863 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 863 | foot starter works as a theft deterent too!
had someone find there truck with the key switch yanked out of the dash and wires cut and sripped, but the truck was not moved. guessing the thief didn't realize that you can't jump across the switch to start it? especially if you unscrew the starter pedal..... | | |
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