Starter "post" Shaft

[pflaming]

I've always wondered why the post travels so far before it even touches the starter, the must travel further to engage the starter. I'm thinking of adding a couple of inches to my post. Any problem(s) with that?

[JBNeal]

I reckon that extra room is so if ya brush up against the starter pedal (like bouncing down a country road at a high rate of speed), the starter won't engage.

[ggdad1951]

I'd agree w/ 49dodge1ton...keeps ya from "oopsing" on the gas pedal area when you aren't using your throttle control for cruise control

[pflaming]

Accidently hitting the starter pedal on a Chevy wasn't a problem. Isn't theirs a mechanical linkage design also?

Question: What was the advantages / disads of mechanical (Dodge / Chevy) and bottons (Fords). Did the MOPAR cars always have buttons? (solenoids)?

[Young Ed]

Accidently hitting the starter pedal on a Chevy wasn't a problem. Isn't theirs a mechanical linkage design also?

Question: What was the advantages / disads of mechanical (Dodge / Chevy) and bottons (Fords). Did the MOPAR cars always have buttons? (solenoids)?

No earlier cars used mechanical engagement. Dads 39 plymouth car had the floor start.

[Dave72dt]

I can't think of any advantage the mechanical had over the solenoid except at the time they were built, there may have been some question as to the reliabilty of the solenoid system. Number of disadvantages like more moving parts to wear out, possibly poorer contact and more arcing in the starter switch from slower engagement, another hole in the floor for wind and road noise, engine fumes. cluttered floor space, another cable for the throttle because the your foot can't work the starter and gas pedal well at the same time although the Fords of that era had a throttle cable and the button. At the time you couldn't consider it a theft detirant(sp) because it would have been familiar to everyone at the time.

[Dan Babb]

I'm thinking of adding a couple of inches to my post. Any problem(s) with that?

Come on guys....how can someone post this statement and not one of you chimes in with a smart-*** reply?

[wallytoo]

I can't think of any advantage the mechanical had over the solenoid except at the time they were built, there may have been some question as to the reliabilty of the solenoid system. Number of disadvantages like more moving parts to wear out, possibly poorer contact and more arcing in the starter switch from slower engagement, another hole in the floor for wind and road noise, engine fumes. cluttered floor space, another cable for the throttle because the your foot can't work the starter and gas pedal well at the same time although the Fords of that era had a throttle cable and the button. At the time you couldn't consider it a theft detirant(sp) because it would have been familiar to everyone at the time.

advantage would be activation as long as you can physically push the floor pedal. i've had starter solenoids fail in my cj twice since i've owned it (about 20 years). not that i can't push start it, but that's a pain. at least the pedal won't have an internal electrical failure. it may have a linkage failure, or the spring can fail, but those are fairly easy to remedy to "get home", vs having to push the vehicle to start it.

i don't have to work the gas and starter pedals at the same time. one pump on the gas, partial choke, then push the starter. starts quick, even at sub-zero temps. if you have to work the gas pedal while engaging the starter, something needs repair.

[Dave72dt]

i don't have to work the gas and starter pedals at the same time. one pump on the gas, partial choke, then push the starter. starts quick, even at sub-zero temps. if you have to work the gas pedal while engaging the starter, something needs repair.

You're right, but that's what the throttle cable was for whether it was needed or not. A '51 Ford I did about 5 yrs ago started the same way as did the old Continental in a forklift I had. Anything more than partial choke would flood it and used only on the initial start.

[pflaming]

I grew up driving tractors, model D John Deere's which we started with the fly wheel. We always set the throttle about 2/5 open and I've always started my old trucks the same way.

The extension on my starter has a hole in it. Is it possible that my started is missing something? Will have to go to research again. I'm installing the firewall insulaton today so the starter assembly goes back in and I will have to make a decision.

Thanks for the preceding replies. I learned something about the seat guides also but that is a different thread.

[Young Ed]

I've seen some starter/push pedal systems where the pedal has a Y and is connected to the starter arm with a pin. Other pedals just have a circle to push on the arm with.