Converting Model A to key starting

Logan said:
for universal use. If someone has to start the car and move it, that doesnt really know anything about a model a they wont always remember where the foot starter button is. I know one older guy in our club has one, because he had troubles putting his big foot up by the brake pedals and the a/c, and his ankle didn't want to twist anymore.
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If he didn't have a/c in the car he wouldnt have the problem. ;)
 
Dave in Denver said:
My reason for asking about converting to a key or push button starting rather than the stock foot starting on top of the starter is one thta comes from a bt of annoyance. I am having issues with my starter getting "stuck". What mean by stuck in the copper plate in the item on top of the starter gets "welded" to the copper button on the starter. I am getting good a taking the foot rod assembly off the top of the starter to undo the two pieces. In the past a notch has been takne out the button on the starter and I first tried filing it down to make the crevis shallower but it still likes to swallow or "weld" the copper plate to intothis crevis every once in a while when starting. I am now in the process of removing the starter to take it apart to replace the button with one that is perfectly flat with no crevis. As I was draining the water from the radiator to remove the side engine water neck to remove the starter, I had a thought about a selonoid driven starting process and wrote the question possing this thought to the board. I know I should just do it right and rebuild the starter the proper way, but too muc time in a cold garage gets a guy to thinking. I truly appreciate all the comments and discussion so far.

Dave
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Dave see if you can find a original starter switch, that would end your problem. The repo switches that I have seen have a weak spring.
 
I didn't mean to be critical at all. I was merely asking because I wanted to Know why you would want a keyswitch. The foot start is one of the things that the kids LOVE about riding in an A and it is sooo simple, I just never thought of a reason for changing it. I have a '52 Chev pickup that the previous owner converted to key start and I wish he hadn't. I'm going to convert it back some day.... I am 6' 4" and had to move the seat back in my A. It was dangerous to drive. Some people see that as a travesty, but it is MY A. So, whatever you want to do with YOUR A, it is your business and I don't agree with people being critical. Its not as if someone, some day, can't convert it back when its THEIR A. It does make me sick when I see an A destroyed that cannot be "converted back someday". There again, that is THEIR A, not mine.
 
Replace your starter sw either with a reproduction or a GOOD used original. Unless you're doing something besides the starter WHY are you removing the side engine water neck?? Remove dipstick, 3 starter bolts, starter sw and the starter "sneaks" out. Just did it y/day.
Paul in CT
 
All is good. My Engineering background always causes me to ask questions. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. I believe I will follow the path suggested by a few and dig into my basement of spare parts to look for an original starter top.
 
Modelakid31 said:
If he didn't have a/c in the car he wouldnt have the problem. ;)
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texas is pretty hot for an 80 year old, that has had tripple bypass surgery and 4 strokes, to drive a car all summer. So yeah an ac was necessary for him to stay in the car.
 
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