The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Starter question

I haven't quite been able to figure this out. Did all six cylinder PU s have foot
starter or were key switch starters available as an option after they were
introduced on the V8s ? Were key switch starters only used on V8 automatics or standards
also?

Chevrolet began using electric solenoid starters on all their straight-six trucks about 1960-61.
My dad's '59 Apache had a 235, 3-on-the-tree and a foot mash starter. His '62 had the same setup, but with an electric starter.
Don't know about the V8s, Id assume it was about the same time.

chip

Ogre;
My 49 GMC had an original foot pedal starter button on the floorboard. Engine was changed to a 12v 261 and the starter was changed to a pushbutton on the dash. Have a key ignition which I turn on and then push the starter button. Really neat as it brings back memories if a Triumph Spitfire that I had years ago. Kind of cool too, pushing the button instead of "turning the key"!

As an aside, if you drop your truck with a foot starter off at a shop, be sure to tell them that the straight up key is "on." My glass shop fellow turned the key all the way to the right (keyless off position) and drained the battery trying to get it started.

gotta differ with you guys. own a 51 coe ALL original. have 2 poition key switch with a push button starter. other trucks i've owned
58 apache--standard ign. sw
54 che 1/2---2 position ign. push button
51 2 ton 2 position sw.--push button
50 1 ton--floor start
51 1 ton --2 position sw.-- push button
55 1/2---standard ign. sw
i never saw a floor start switch after 50. not saying there were'nt, but i was i started working in a gas station when i was 9 years old, and srarted doing mechanic work when i was 13, and changed alot of starters when these trucks were'nt old. i'm 50 now, and still messing with old stuff---now called antique.

OGRE, My 53 GMC Hydramatic has a solenoid starter and a push button starter switch on the dash.

6 cylinder Chevy conventional trucks with standard trannys had floor starters up through 1959 like Chiphead says.Some very expensive new high performance cars now feature a red button on the dash that is labeled "start".Will the mechanical floor starter make a return?Cool

Koolkar, you really ever look in a car when you were in station? :p My 54 has foot pedal, My COE's have foot pedal, right in front of seat on Chevy's and my GMC's have push-button on dash's. GMC was "ahead" and had higher dollar options. Chev used to 59, then went Modern with switch on dash with "start" position for their NEW design. Any Cab forward or cowl only trucks had push-button start on dash, even when others had the floor pedal. Delivery trucks and buses they were used for.

Well now that we've got that straightened out !!!!!!!! :p