Original Starter Switch?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Original Starter Switch?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rich Stinchcomb, Trumbull, CT on Saturday, June 02, 2012 - 12:49 pm:

The starter switches shown in Bruce's book don't have a lot of detail. This link is a good reference and appears to be the same as the pictures below but I can't quite tell if there are the bent tabs for holding the switch housing to the base; http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/13710.html

I'm working on a 1924. Is this an original starter switch and if so, what years would it have been used?




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Saturday, June 02, 2012 - 03:39 pm:

Some of the starter switches I have seen have screws to hold the components together instead of the tabs. They will mount up the same and I wonder if Ford used different manufacturing methods and used them whenever. I have one like yours of my 24 Coupe and had to replace the insulating washer on one of the posts. I found some of the hard type of insulating washers at Ace hardware and they worked fine.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf, Parkerfield KS on Saturday, June 02, 2012 - 04:47 pm:

At least some of the electrical components, like ignition switches, were supplied to Ford by various manufacturers and therefore vary in some details. That's why a switch repair kit will fit some switches with no alteration, but may need a notch widened to fit others. I would guess this probably applies to starter switches too.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Saturday, June 02, 2012 - 07:07 pm:

Rich,

In his “Model T Comprehensive Encyclopedia” [available from the MTFCA club store at: http://modeltstore.myshopify.com/products/model-t-ford-comprehensice-encyclopedia ] Bruce shared, “Starter switches varied in type, lengths of the plunger, etc. This one is just one of the many types used from 1919 to 1927” Note the same photo on page 277 of his book mentions that the photo is of one style used on the 1919-1920 T’s and it differed considerably from the later types.



From Bruce’s “Price List of Parts” also on Bruce’s “Model T Comprehensive Encyclopedia” he has:







Note there are two good pictures of an original starter switch at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/136134.html that has the tabs. Also directions for removing the cover etc. Ford also used some that had screws holding the cover on.

Photo of tab style taken apart at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/80257/118069.html

Dan Treace illustration of replacing the original starter button with the Tractor Supply switch at: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/126140.html

And one other photo Patrick Martin posted of a starter switch with the cover held on by screws instead of Tabs.



Unless you are trying to restore your car to win a Stynoski trophy -- any functional starting switch will work fine. If you are trying to go as “close to original as possible” I would recommend obtaining a copy of the MTFCI Judging standards available from the MTFCI on the web page at: http://www.sportproducts.org/MT%20International/MTIntl2a.html scroll to the bottom then back up past the "Manifold Cooker Recipe Book" and two more small items. If you get to the DVD for the MTFCI Digital Library you went one item too far.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Saturday, June 02, 2012 - 08:37 pm:

I should have cropped the photo before posting. I went ahead and cropped it so I don't forget. In the photo above the starter switch in the lower left is a Model A Ford. The middle one -- I do not recognize.



Respectfully cropped,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rich Stinchcomb, Trumbull, CT on Sunday, June 03, 2012 - 05:34 am:

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the links and information. Hap: I already own Bruce's hard cover book but the CD looks to have better pictures and the index can't hurt. Guess there is no such thing as too much reference material :-).

Rich


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Sunday, June 03, 2012 - 07:25 am:

Rich,

Bruce's book is copyrighted 1994. He continued to do update it for the next 16 years. New material was added -- for example Larry Smith's excellent 1925 Pickup article was added just behind Steve Coniff's excellent 1925 Roadster Pickup article and added a lot of additional details and close up photos. When available color photos were used -- for example the original coverage of the "Almost Original 1912 Torpedo" pages 120 - 125 is still there but the photos are in color rather than black and white. They were always color photos but were not published in color due to the additional cost. Some photos were replaced by others that more accurately portrayed the area he wanted to show. And it includes the Price List of Parts that allows you to cross check items more easily.

For reference on the Model T, his "Model T Comprehensive Encyclopedia" is the best single item I know of. The Benson Ford Archive has much more data, but it is in many different locations. And Bruce's book/CD can actually be a help for finding things at the Archives as he often has the reference for where he obtained his information. He used "Acc. ####" where ACC stands for "Accessions," which refers to the location in the Archives.

He also added in helpful information from this forum. For example some of the photos he used to update the information on the 1915 Model T horns came from the forum. They had close ups of the bulb horn, horn bracket, and horn tube routing as well as the early electric horns. So thanks to all of you for posting questions, answers, what worked or didn’t work for you, and pictures – they are all help to many more than just the original person who has the question. There is still so much more we can continue to learn about the cars and their history. I’m look forward to continuing the journey.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Sunday, June 03, 2012 - 08:19 am:

I had a 1970's repro floor style starter switch on my '26 T Coupe, but it was very unreliable and dangerous. It even once shorted out and could have caused a fire if I had not disconnected it in time. Since then I have used an original vintage 1920's Ford starter switch purchased on ebay, which is very reliable, safe, very well made and always works without fail. I have since bought another one to use on my other '26 T Fordor, when I am ready for it. Jim Patrick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Sunday, June 03, 2012 - 09:34 am:

If you want a good reliable starter switch Jim is absolutely right. The reproductions are poorly made and dangerous. The originals are robustly built and can be disassembled for repairs and cleaning.

Bear in mind that there were auto parts stores selling starter switches from ten different manufacturers back in the day. Some are well made, others not so much.

Just because a switch looks old does not mean it is an original Ford switch.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Sunday, June 03, 2012 - 09:45 am:

I've been trying to talk John Regan into making them for years. Someday, I hope he will. Here is an interesting observation: I like the two screw switches, because you can take them apart easily. I don't think there is more than one length of plungers on those, but there might be. I had one all rebuilt that I was going to use on my '25, and even with the extension on it, it wouldn't go through the hole in the floor far enough to do the job. Are there different lengths of extensions, I don't know. Anyhow, I wound up using a late tab type that was old stock, and it's working fine. The real Ford switches have the Ford script.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug Money - Braidwood, IL on Sunday, June 03, 2012 - 02:09 pm:

I ended up using a tractor switch from the Farm and Fleet store. I forget what tractor it was from. It is a bit shorter, but seems much better made than the repro switch I had.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep NZ on Sunday, June 03, 2012 - 03:30 pm:

Why would the reproduction switch blow up if they can make a tractor switch work just fine? Maybe if you asked really nicely the tractor parts people would make a small run of switches for the T also


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john kuehn on Sunday, June 03, 2012 - 04:25 pm:

Good thread on switches. I am restoring a 21 Touring and noticed that the starter switch wouldnt go through the front seat heel kick plate. The switch in my 24 Coupe is the same length so I guess Ford used a longer style original starter switch or did he just add the extension as I did.
Just wondering if anyone knows. There were different switches used through the T years according to the enycyclopedia.


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