I have an early through the dash pull starter on my 1914. It actually works fairly well. Has a rachet on the front of the crank with an anti kick arm that rest on the edge of the pan nose. I would like to know who made this pull starter or at least its correct name. Anybody know??

Wow.....that is cool! :D

That is a Challenge starter for Ford cars.
That little sucker was sold for $10.00
In 1918 they reduced the price to $4.75.
They claimed you only had to drill one hole-the one for the handle through fire wal/dash.

Aaron: I bought this starter brand new, wraped in paper and string. It had never been used. The instructions, which had no name, didn't require any drilling. Just remove one bolt in the steering column mount and let the rod pass through that existing hole! I paid much more than $4.75 at auction but I don't remember how much. That was too long ago or I'm getting to old to remember. JP

Do you still have use of the front crank or did that have to be removed to mount this?

I have a 1919 National Auto Supply catalog which shows one very similar Called a Sandbo,at $11.50

I had an identical one on my 1914 Pickup for several years. It was starting to get worn and rattled all the time, so I took it off. It worked very well once the car was warm. The original crank in the front worked also.
Chris Paulsen
McPherson, KS

There was also a Simply Pull made Simplex in Anderson Indiana but I think the pull handle was on the right side of the coilbox. It was $10 and would not rattle or wear out. So they said.

Jack,

From the picture it looks like the fan blades are striking the chain?


vince m

Hmmm, maybe that is the rattle that is talked about.

When that picture of the fan blade was taken it had been hitting the chain when the pull starter was used. After adjustments were made the blades clear the chain. It is a fine line between the radiator fins and the chain for the fan blades. Also the chain cannot have any slack which would allow it to flop around. This starter works great on a warm engine that starts on the quarter pull.
Yes, Patrick, the original hand crank is in place but different shorter rachet is used. It can be seen in the first photo. Look carefully. JP

I wish somebody would repop them. It would be a great seller.

A Model T is not a lawn mower. Henry made it with a crank, not a recoil starter. I think it looks ugly, but that's just one man's opinion.

I am wondering Aaron if you happen to have a picture of the Simplex setup. I have one of them out in the barn but don't know how it all goes together. I could use a diagram as it is in pieces in a box.