E28 Starter Switch

[Charles Reese]

Anyone with an early vehicle requiring the rectangular style starter switch (A11450) (used until October 1928) can attest to the elusiveness of trying to find the “plunger spring cover” (A11474) … the proverbial hen’s tooth!.

I wish I could remember who suggested it so I could give them proper credit … just modified a portion of a 50 caliber shell casing to make a workable item until an original can be found.

The earliest style (until March ’28) had an index stamped into the side of the cover case to eliminate rotation of the offset push rod. From April to October ’28, a straight push rod was used, thus no index needed. Both were cadmium plated or painted black.

[brito36]

There were two sizes of plunger springs of the non-indexed type. A longer was used until Late 1928, when a shorter one was used.

[glenn in camino]

Good idea. I'll try it.

[mrtexas]

Which one I got?

[al's28/33]

Ingenious idea Charles!!!!

[Ron in Quincy]

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Charles,

I believe I m the one that told you about 50 Cal. shell casing.

It is interesting to note that the original plunger spring cover on my A1276 is not indexed and I have the off set starter rod; that is the way the A was when I got it and it only had a little over 25,000 original miles. I have had no problem with the off set starter rod turning ? Frankly I have been to many swap meets since getting the A in 1978 and have never been able to locate a index spring cover, I have never even seen an original, but that does not mean they do not exist.

Ron

[Tom Wesenberg]

I seem to recall an indexed cover (complete switch) on ebay a year or two ago.

The box switch was dropped in October 1928, when the new common switch was introduced along with the new 5/8" shaft starter.

[dean from bozeman]

Charles, the only modification that I would suggest that you add are the "stretch marks" that you can see on the photo that mrtexas submitted. You could test different grit sand paper to get the desired effect.

Hey Ron, you are one lucky man not to have your starter rod bind up. Also, the originals are out there. A495 has one on it and I have bought and sold a few more through the years. Now get yourself another ve28 and I'll find you one, too!

mrtexas, you have the latter one.

[Charles Reese]

I am fortunate to have an original cover on my switch, but have collected a couple of the early style switches over the years and felt the need (OCD) to 'complete' them as much as possible before selling/trading. I agree, Mr. Rude was the friend who suggested the shell casing idea (thanks!).

Originally Posted by brito36

There were two sizes of plunger springs of the non-indexed type. A longer was used until Late 1928, when a shorter one was used.

Apologize for diverting this thread, but can you provide more info as to the varieties of springs/cover? My current info suggests
==========================================
SPRING
Style #1 {A11473B}:
- SOP-Mar’28 (~50,000)
- used with ‘indexed” cover
- OD: ____________
- ID: _____________
- Length: __________
- Wire Gauge: ________

Style #2, {A11473B}:
- Apr’-Oct’28
- used with ‘non-indexed” cover
- OD: 9/16” (0.56-0.6)
- ID: 7/16” (0.437)
- Length: 7/8”-1”
- Wire Gauge: 1/16” (0.062)

MAFFI data shows.
7-29-’27 spring obsoleted (this may coincide with “some early 1928 vehicles had a straight starter rod and some had a partial square shaft”-Judging Standards)
11-25-’27 “B” suffix added (change to round shaft??)
2-15-’28 (possible change in specs?)
6-5-’28 change (‘index’ was removed??)
8-14-’28 cover obsoleted

==========================================
COVER
Style #1 {A11474}:
- SOP-Mar’28 (~50,000)
- indexed groove to prevent rotation of offset rod
- tapered, 2 step, different lengths (most common 1-1/2” to 2”)
- cadmium plated or black
- hole for cotter pin

Style #2 {A11474B}:
- Apr’-Oct‘28
- NO index groove
- tapered, 2 step, different lengths (most common 1-1/2” to 2”)
- cadmium plated or black
- hole for cotter pin

MAFFI data shows.
7-22-’27 cover obsoleted (this may coincide with“some early 1928 vehicles had a straight starter rod and some had a partial square shaft”-Judging Standards)
11-25-’27 “B” suffix added (change to round shaft??)
3-8-’28 change (believe this was when the ‘index’ was removed)
8-14-’28 cover obsoleted

[brito36]

A shorter cover was introduced in September 1928, and used for a short time.

[msmaron]

Here is a closer look at the correct one for E28

[James Rogers]

I have one of those early switches but the contactor is broken at the bolt. I have both pieces and it is good except for that.

[Willie Krash]

I was digging thru the shed today and found a couple of early starters, one had this switch.

[Willie Krash]

Here it is..

[Tom Wesenberg]

Mike, that switch was used through early October 1928, but that Bendix is correct for the single plate clutch, which started in November 1928.

Is the shaft 1/2", or is it 5/8"?

[Willie Krash]

Half inch Tom,
I found have a couple just kicking around, there might be more. They both had the early style switches and that caught my eye.

I have a shed full of cores. Lots of A & T plus some stuff I've never seen, i.e. early stuff. If I remember I think there is some Eastern Electric at least I think that's the name.
thanks

[Tom Wesenberg]

The spring should have a headless bolt on the pinion end for clearance. Also notice the spring loop is notched for clearance. This is to clear the first style multiplate flywheel. About August 1928 the multiplate flywheel was resdesigned for more clearance for the new drive. I haven't tried the drive you show for clearance, but I'll see if I have a flywheel handy to try it.

[Charles Reese]

this is an example of what started this thread! i suspect there are many of the 'early' style (both indexed and not) languishing in collections around the globe ... most of whom are missing the critical "cap" and "spring". I also suspect there is not enough demand for anyone to tool-up for a run of repros ... thus the 50 caliber shell suggestion. I'm not ingenious enough to figure out how one would go about creating the index "notch" in the sleeve side, but am sure someone out there can!

can someone provide some specs about the spring (I'm OCD enough to want an original but info as to a modern replacement will suffice)

[Tom Wesenberg]

In the past I posted a picture of the switch with the cap and spring removed. I don't have time to search now, as I have to leave for our spring tune up meeting, but the spring I found at the Sears hardware store north of Chicago was a dead on match to the original, except it was wound the other direction. This would make no difference and of course doesn't show.