'35 ford, convert to dash push button start

[AnthonyG]

Planning on installing a low voltage button for dash mount start switch and will use with ford electro-solenoid to kick the starter. Please make comments on my idea for the install.
1- I'm thinking about leaving the foot pedal switch in place for original look. It's shot but is clean and looks good.
2- Will pull the cable connected to the starter peddle terminal and move to the opposite terminal where the battery and harness wires are.
3 - Will disconnect the cable at the starter motor and connect a short cable from the starter to the correct solenoid terminal and connect the other terminal on the solenoid to the end of the cable which was connected to the starter. Solenoid will mount to firewall above starter motor.
4 - Run low voltage wiring to switch mounted in dash.
5 - connect battery and push button to turn engine over.

??? What are your thoughts.

[rheltzel]

Why?

[Ralph Moore]

My push button in a 35 dash is just wired from solenoid to switch to ground, the button completed the circuit

[Mike in AZ]

i think you're describing what Ford did in '37? when they put the starter button on the dash...following links to MacVP's website.....Mike

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...ram1937car.jpg

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...wiring1937.jpg

[Terry,OH]

Ford did supply a kit to add the dash push button start on 36. It was a much later addition not an accessory available in 36. What you are planning sounds good, I would suggest for step 2 you replace the battery cable with a longer one and avoid the extra connections at the old starter switch.

[AnthonyG]

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As to why, guess I have a fat clutch foot and hit it a lot while driving, LOL.
Terry, sounds like your indicating to just bypass the foot switch terminal and go with a longer wire over to the new solenoid I will mount on passenger side fire wall then use the short cable from there to motor. This will eliminate the extra terminal connection?

[Planojc]

I used the cigarette lighter as a switch to ground the sol. Had to modify the cigarette lighter so that it would release after you push it in. Works great.

[JSeery]

For the pushbutton the original style is available and easy to install. Just wire it like a 37. Be sure to use a heavy cable from the battery to the starter solenoid (one that matches the original gauge).

[Karl Wescott]

You could consider mounting the switch under the dash so as not to be visible or add extra holes to the dash. In that case you could use either a push button or a momentary contact toggle switch.

[Ed Pitts]

Here is how I did my 36. The solenoid bracket I made mounts where the foot starter was and you can use the same cables. The starter button came from NAPA and will carry the full 12 volts. Ed

[rheltzel]

[QUOTE=AnthonyG;1168556]As to why, guess I have a fat clutch foot and hit it a lot while driving, LOL./QUOTE]

I hear you on the "fat clutch foot"! It took me some getting used to before I could (mostly) avoid hitting the starter button when I got into the car. When I first got my '35, I thought I would convert to a push button setup, but I've gotten used to the floor mounted switch and I like its simplicity. It eliminates the need for a remote solenoid switch, which is one less thing to go wrong. At least that's my theory on it. It could just be that I'm lazy and don't want to go to the work to change it...

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Terry,OH

Ford did supply a kit to add the dash push button start on 36. It was a much later addition not an accessory available in 36. What you are planning sounds good, I would suggest for step 2 you replace the battery cable with a longer one and avoid the extra connections at the old starter switch.

Our '36 PU came out of West Virginia and has the dash mounted switch. The fellow we bought it from said that in the hills and mountains out there they 'needed' a set up that would free up both feet for the clutch and brake pedals while you started the truck. It was common to change them over. Pop's '36 pickup back here in Illinois still had the foot switch into the 50's and early 60's.

I can see where the dash switch would have been handier in hilly areas. I like the dash switch better however after having one.

[AnthonyG]

Thx for all the good in put. I probably wouldn't do it if the foot peddle switch hadn't gone bad. Even simpler goes bad when old enough, LOL.
Regards,

[Bruce Lancaster]

Simplest: Get '37-50 type Ford solenoid and pushbotton. I have posted Echlin numbers for all that, with both 6 and 12 V solenoids.
Battery hot cable and cable to starter obviously need to reach solenoid...I suspect current cables will do that if you mount solenoid low on driver side of firewall, above the foot switch. Hot cable needs to be on the proper side of the solenoid.
Put the Ford grounding pushbutton wherever you wish (on grounded metal, like your dash, of course) and run a small wire from the little terminal on the 'noid to the button.
Done. Circuitry is identical to later Ford, solenoid location is different due to different battery location.
The foot switch COULD be used in the small wire circuit minus the button as a grounding switch, but that would pretty much make the changeover meaningless...though you would still have a slight benefit in durability of system caused by the near instant switching done by the solenoid.

[JeffHealey7]

I have a spare NORS foot pedal starter switch if you need it.

[AnthonyG]

Thx Bruce, got the solenoid and button from Speedway. Looks good works good.
Thx for the offer JeffHealey7, but wanted to go with the dash button for starting. I had a bad dash light switch and couldn't find a replacement like the stock on so I soldered the wires together with the light circuit and used the 3/4" hole for the start button. looks stock and no extra holes.