Starter switch

[Bobster]

I have an early 1928 Roadster AR with a starter which has the 5/8 drive but a rectangular box type starter switch on the top. The starter motor has a wedge type contact to accept the starter push rod. Can't find any parts for this setup. Presently all works fine - just looking down the road. Any help is welcomed. Regards, BW

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

You have a combination of parts which were never meant to fit each other and don't fit each other without considerable work. On the rear end plate which has a locating ring that fits into the flywheel cover mounting hole, is that ring the same thickness all the way around? If it is, then it's the correct end plate for 1/2" drives. If the locating ring is thin on one side and thick on the opposite side, then it's the correct end plate for the 5/8" drives, which are a tiny bit larger in diameter, even though it is still a 10 tooth drive. Let us know what end plate you have, because the early end plate used with the 5/8" drive will probably result in a jammed starter.

 

[Bobster]

Since the starter is installed and working, I can't look at the end plate for inspection. I can report that the fellow who repaired my starters (I had two) said that both shafts were 5/8ths and one drive was better than the other. He used the best of both to build my starter. The only difference in the two was in the starter switch which is a wedge shape with the rectangular box.
That is the one on my car. It works fine and has not jammed on me in the 11 months I have had it. There is a note on starter switch change out on page 289 of the Ford Service Bulletins. I am supposing the older switch was obseleted in October of that year (1929?) BW