The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Ignition switch with start position??

I would like to find a correct looking and fitting ignition switch for my 48 truck that has a start position as well as run and off positions.

Will a switch from a similar year car work? Or did they even have a start position?

Yes I could put a start button on the dash, no I don't want to.

Thanks,
Grigg

Try Classic Parts formerly Chevy Duty. Part # 53-441

You might have to call themn to be sure that it fits the dash and you might need a bezel (unless the original bezel works).

I have seen these universal switches, but I just don't think thay will fit and look right in the stock location.
Does anybody have any experience with these?

What do yall usually do if you have electric start in these trucks?
If it was an option in these trucks, perhaps with a hydramatic, how did the factory do it?

I may order a universal one and see if I can make an adaptor so as to have it attach like the old one and make a bezel that looks good. I figured someone would have thought of a solution already...

Grigg,

I have one of those switches in a '54 that I converted to 12v. The ignition switch changed in '54 to a little larger diameter hole. The universal switch (above) was a little loose (but works in a '54), so it might fit OK in a 47-53. When I called Chevy Duty (Classic Parts) they gave me correct information for my truck, including which bezels work (don't call the sales line, call the support line).

The 1954/55 Chevy Hydra-Matic (and 53-55 GMC H-M) both had solenoid starters with a push button start on the upper left of the dashboard. The starter switch was the same as on the manual transmission trucks.

Tim

The '49 GMC's used a key starter switch... don't know for sure all the years but am pretty certain it was for the entire 47-53 range.

Mike,

Does your truck have a foot-actuated starter or an electric solenoid starter?

Tim

Another option would be to use the stock on-off switch and a horn button style switch for the starter solenoid. I think thats the way many of the early cars were set up- push button start.

If you wanted added security, you could conceal the push button switch, or make it innocuous by locating it in the choke or throttle cable spots and slap a stock looking knob on it.

Tim -

No foot-actuated starter in the '49 GMC... key only. The key switch has Acc/Off/Run/Start positions just like my '02 GMC. Since the GMC & Chevy 47-53 cabs are the same, the GMC start switch should fit fine in the Chevy dash.

cole hersee
find a local dealer that sells that line of electrical componants.
the 'CH' you see stamped on many keys is: Cole Hersee.
i got mine here and it fits beautifully, the neck is long enough.

http://www.colehersee.com/catalog_top/index.htm
about $14.00

Mike,

I respectfully beg to differ with you, but GMCs were equipped with the foot-actuated mechanical shift starter well after 1949, and the first key-operated electrical shift (solenoid) starter in a GMC truck was applied to the models equipped with an automatic transmission.

If your 1949 GMC does not have a foot-operated mechanical shift "stomper" starter, then the starter motor has been swapped out to a solenoid operated electrical shift starter drive. Further, if your truck has an automatic, instead of a manual, transmission, then that, too, has been swapped out and would explain the key-operated starter.

Thanks for all the ideas.
But I have decided to use an air starter and operate it with the original foot start button on he floor.
So I can use my original ignition switch.
Grigg

i tried an universal switch and it would not fit to short and the bulge of the switch would not clear the lip on the back of the dash. in the august issue of street rodder mag. ron francis wire works offers a new switch, you might contact them and see it will work for you. ron

Glenn;
My '57 GMC has a key start on it,and it's always been a four speeder. I think the deciding factor was the V-8,since there was no provision on the V-8 bellhousing for a "stomper",unless mine had the dash push button and was converted.
Speed

speed,
we were originaly trying to find an ignition switch with start for an AD truck.
Will a 57 switch fit the older truck?
Grigg