The Ford Barn

KCW · 06-03-2025, 12:34 PM

I’ve been wrestling with starter issues for weeks. First my Bendix broke. Got that fixed and leaned a lot about repairing starters! Now my starter button is in the frizz. It smoked a little a few times when I pushed it, then after that it would only work intermittently, and now not at all. Is this something that happens often? I ordered a new button from Lang’s for 38$ or so. It seems like the old one is rivitted into place so I’m not sure how I’ll swap it out. Any ideas? All of this is new for me but I feel like I am making progress and learning a lot!!!

J Franklin · 06-03-2025, 07:02 PM

Is the old one rivited in place? I doubt Ford did that.

rotorwrench · 06-04-2025, 12:03 PM

Use screws if it has to be drilled to remove it. Rivets don't make much sense for maintenance.

stevests · 06-04-2025, 12:20 PM

Can you post photos ?

jimvette59 · 06-06-2025, 04:40 PM

I have taken Model A starter buttons apart that are attached to the starter and turned the copper over and cleaned the surfaces it worked fine. JMO

KCW · 06-09-2025, 02:11 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The button from Lang’s arrived. It looks similar but different from the one that I’ve got. I have a 26 T roadster pickup. Lang’s said their button works up through 1927. Did I get the wrong button? Photos attached of the new and old.

IMG_2842.jpg

IMG_2841.jpg

IMG_2840.jpg

IMG_2839.jpg

IMG_2838.jpg

J Franklin · 06-09-2025, 03:05 PM

I think it will fit.

stevests · 06-09-2025, 05:30 PM

That's the good, tractor type switch - it will fit just fine. The "other" cheap imports are not good !

rotorwrench · 06-10-2025, 12:02 PM

I don't know if the new switch would fit the old support bracket or not. If it will then you can drill or grind the rivets heads and remove them. Use the new screws to install on the bracket. Otherwise, just use the whole thing.

KCW · 06-10-2025, 03:24 PM

Got the new one installed. The bolts were glued together so I had to remove them with a hack saw. Took forever! Got the new one hooked up. It’s not a perfect fit but it will do. The car started immediately! I think that button was partially fried for a long time because I can’t believe the power of the starter with the new button. Thank you everyone for the advice!

KCW · 06-10-2025, 03:24 PM

By the way, the kit came with a button extension. It’s several inches long. Why would anyone need an extension that long?

stevests · 06-10-2025, 04:42 PM

Different body types had different height floorboards .

06-03-2025, 12:34 PM	#1
KCW Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 76	26 T starter button bad? I’ve been wrestling with starter issues for weeks. First my Bendix broke. Got that fixed and leaned a lot about repairing starters! Now my starter button is in the frizz. It smoked a little a few times when I pushed it, then after that it would only work intermittently, and now not at all. Is this something that happens often? I ordered a new button from Lang’s for 38$ or so. It seems like the old one is rivitted into place so I’m not sure how I’ll swap it out. Any ideas? All of this is new for me but I feel like I am making progress and learning a lot!!!

06-03-2025, 07:02 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 6,581	Re: 26 T starter button bad? Is the old one rivited in place? I doubt Ford did that.

06-04-2025, 12:03 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,006	Re: 26 T starter button bad? Use screws if it has to be drilled to remove it. Rivets don't make much sense for maintenance.

06-04-2025, 12:20 PM	#4
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 683	Re: 26 T starter button bad? Can you post photos ?

06-06-2025, 04:40 PM	#5
jimvette59 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perry OH Posts: 1,370	Re: 26 T starter button bad? I have taken Model A starter buttons apart that are attached to the starter and turned the copper over and cleaned the surfaces it worked fine. JMO

06-09-2025, 02:11 PM	#6
KCW Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 76	Re: 26 T starter button bad? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The button from Lang’s arrived. It looks similar but different from the one that I’ve got. I have a 26 T roadster pickup. Lang’s said their button works up through 1927. Did I get the wrong button? Photos attached of the new and old. IMG_2842.jpg IMG_2841.jpg IMG_2840.jpg IMG_2839.jpg IMG_2838.jpg

06-09-2025, 03:05 PM	#7
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 6,581	Re: 26 T starter button bad? I think it will fit.

06-09-2025, 05:30 PM	#8
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 683	Re: 26 T starter button bad? That's the good, tractor type switch - it will fit just fine. The "other" cheap imports are not good !

06-10-2025, 12:02 PM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,006	Re: 26 T starter button bad? I don't know if the new switch would fit the old support bracket or not. If it will then you can drill or grind the rivets heads and remove them. Use the new screws to install on the bracket. Otherwise, just use the whole thing.

06-10-2025, 03:24 PM	#10
KCW Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 76	Re: 26 T starter button bad? Got the new one installed. The bolts were glued together so I had to remove them with a hack saw. Took forever! Got the new one hooked up. It’s not a perfect fit but it will do. The car started immediately! I think that button was partially fried for a long time because I can’t believe the power of the starter with the new button. Thank you everyone for the advice!

06-10-2025, 03:24 PM	#11
KCW Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 76	Re: 26 T starter button bad? By the way, the kit came with a button extension. It’s several inches long. Why would anyone need an extension that long?

06-10-2025, 04:42 PM	#12
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 683	Re: 26 T starter button bad? Different body types had different height floorboards .