Well, I put a Wanted Ad on Classified for a starter button and got no response. This car has a starter button fastened to the floor boards, can't take the floor boards out without disconnecting the cables or unfasten the whole switch from the boards, and I want one that is fastened to the frame, like it is suppose to be. I tried the new switch route a few yrs. ago and when I hooked it up, I had a dead short. Took the 2 and made a good one.
Does anyone have a good used or NOS one they would part with?
There are currently 2 different switches available - one is imported (cheap) and a Made in the Good Old US of A switch, albeit not an exact copy, it is a good switch !
Steve;
Which vendors has the good one?
This isn't an original switch but I think is much more superior. It uses a 9n Tractor starter switch. You can buy 9N Switches for about 9 dollars.
Aftermarket conversion
9N Replacement switch
The bracket can be made easily also.
My favorite thing to do is use a solenoid. I only use the Model T starter switch to energize the solenoid. This makes the floor switch last virtually forever and it makes the cheap import switches work too. The solenoid can be installed and hidden so nobody knows. Depending on the type, 6v solenoids cost $10-25.
Ever step on or push down on the switch by accident? The cure for that is a separate solenoid and wiring the switch through the ignition, so the starter won't engage unless the ignition is on. This is important.
Since the brass era cars didn't have that big starter switch, I hid a small one, wired through the ignition. This is really important on a Speedster where you have the floor switch on a flat surface convenient for laying the forward flooboards while you have your fingers in the tranny...
rdr
Another way to go, and in my experience a far superior way, is to use a starter solenoid switch, and let the button, whatever kind, activate the solenoid. That way, you side-step potential quality problems with the starter button, and use a proven technology (solenoid switch) to activate your starter.
6 volt (or 12 volt) solenoid switches are available from Model T suppliers, and also from tractor parts dealers. They cost in the neighborhood of 12 bucks.
Then, any button (including one on or behind the dash) can be used to activate the solenoid.
I purchased an original NOS Model T starter switch on ebay for $25.00. Even though it was manufactured almost 90 years ago, the quality and reliability is far superior to any repro made today. There is almost always one for sale. I checked ebay under "Model T starter button" and the below starter button is currently up for sale. Auction #130791069188. Since it appears to be in such pristine condition, I can't be sure if it is original or not, but it looks like the original floor starter switches did when new. Jim Patrick
I have wired them so that the spark lever has to be up all the way to start,No more starter problems use the starter button to + other leg swith to ground -
solenoid... cant beat them
"Since the brass era cars didn't have that big starter switch, I hid a small one..."
Ralph,
You are the last person in the world I ever thought would be concerned with originality.
I have them - I'm a dealer for Bob's - they have them too though!
Is a Model T with a starter solenoid the same as a Model T with a water pump? Henry didn't need no solenoid. ;^)
"You are the last person in the world I ever thought would be concerned with originality."
Laziness won out, Hal. It would have been more work to install that big switch and bracket, than it was to drill a single half-inch hole in the seat frame overhang.
So instead of installing "that big switch and bracket", you installed a really big clock! Heck, that big clock you installed on the floorboard is as big as the one in my high school cafeteria.
In case you're not kidding, George; that clock was on the navigator's lapdesk. The Greatrace is a clock and speedometer rally. It's all about following course directions and arriving at checkpoints at the right time.
Ricks, Just poking a little fun.
Gary
Jim;
I won the auction for the starter switch, you pictured, I got it today and it is one of those repops. That's OK, I've redone one several yrs. ago. I'll have to redo it. Need some fibre washers. Yuk.
Mike;
That picture you posted, was the kind that was on it, when I bought the car.
Richard - please post some photos and explanation of your switch rework. I'm sure many of us could benefit from them.