Key start

Russell Reay

Russell Reay

Well-known member
Back in March there was a thread about using a starter solenoid with links to other similar threads. CarlG wrote that he uses a key start on his A. I have long thought that the push button on the left side of the dash on Ford trucks was a cool feature, but an ordinary key start would be better. I had an off-the-shelf switch on my 57 Chevy truck, but I recall that it was too bulky to fit in the available space behind an A dash panel. If my memory is correct, what type of ignition switch would fit there, or would it be necessary to install it in the dash rail?
 
I would think twice about using a key start setup. I purchased a 1931 sedan that had one. To start the car, I had to reach through the steering wheel of the car to turn the key, while I used my right had to pull the chock. A left had mounted push button would work better.
 
Snyder and other venders has a kit called "sparky", where it is connected to the spark lever rod to activate the starter. I made my own similar one, with the same results, and
it works great. Look it up on one of the venders, you might just like it.
 
I saw the sparky in a website and it has some appeal, but I would fear pushing the spark lever to full retard for reason other than starting, and having my starter drive voice a loud objection
 
Bill Cilker said:
I would think twice about using a key start setup. I purchased a 1931 sedan that had one. To start the car, I had to reach through the steering wheel of the car to turn the key, while I used my right had to pull the chock. A left had mounted push button would work better.
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I never have to use the choke with my Stromberg 97 carb, so that is no problem.
 
CarlG said:
I never have to use the choke with my Stromberg 97 carb, so that is no problem.
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I have a Zenith and I don’t have to hold the choke open when I press the starter. I leave the GAV at 1/4 turn, pull the choke a couple of times before I press the starter and she starts up every time.

David Serrano
 
I like a push button starter on the dash, if your on an incline you can use one foot on the clutch and one one the brake to restart the engine.
 
California Travieso said:
I have a Zenith and I don’t have to hold the choke open when I press the starter. I leave the GAV at 1/4 turn, pull the choke a couple of times before I press the starter and she starts up every time.

David Serrano
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I'm curious. What does "pulling the choke a couple of times before I press the starter" do beside open and close the choke butterfly? It surely will not enrichen the mixture if the engine is not spinning. :confused::confused:
 
Ruth said:
I'm curious. What does "pulling the choke a couple of times before I press the starter" do beside open and close the choke butterfly? It surely will not enrichen the mixture if the engine is not spinning. :confused::confused:
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Perzactly.
 
BrianH said:
Just how does that work?
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I don’t know, I’ve just been doing it for 7 years and it works for me and it starts on the first or second time I press the starter even after it sits for some time. I only press the starter for one or two revolutions and stop. If it doesn’t start the first time it’ll start the second time I press the starter.

Maybe just a good engine and carburetor. Never had to mess with anything. The previous owner said he had a mechanic in Orange Co., CA that worked on the car regularly.

I’ll just keep doing it until it doesn’t work. I don’t like to mess with mysteries of the universe.

David Serrano
 
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