Starter switch repair

[Allan]

On the starter switches which have the four tabs bent over to hold the plunger/cover on the bracket, one or more of the bent over tabs can be broken off during dismantling. I saw an easy and most satisfactory fix for this a couple of days ago. All four of the tabs were broken off at the underside level of the bracket. They had simply selected appropriately sized self tapping screws about 3/8" long and driven them from the underside between the remainder of the tab and the side of the D shaped hole in the bracket. Brilliant! I can see the trick being used on occasion when just one or two tabs are broken off too. Not original, but hardly noticeable and entirely satisfactory.

Allan from down under.

[Professor Fate]

I'm not a fan of the new repro tabbed starter switch. I had one fail on me and weld itself on continually cranking the motor. Fortunately I had a master kill switch within reach.
My preference is to seek an old switch you can refurb using parts from a supplier.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

On the starter switches which have the four tabs bent over to hold the plunger/cover on the bracket, one or more of the bent over tabs can be broken off during dismantling. I saw an easy and most satisfactory fix for this a couple of days ago. All four of the tabs were broken off at the underside level of the bracket. They had simply selected appropriately sized self tapping screws about 3/8" long and driven them from the underside between the remainder of the tab and the side of the D shaped hole in the bracket. Brilliant! I can see the trick being used on occasion when just one or two tabs are broken off too. Not original, but hardly noticeable and entirely satisfactory.

Allan from down under.

Pictures?

[RajoRacer]

Most of the time, you can bend the tabs open once BUT best practice is to anneal them prior to re-bending them back down into position.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I just tack weld the lid back on.

[Professor Fate]

Tabs failed.

[RajoRacer]

That's the "imported" switch - you'd be lucky to get several cycles before it does that !

[Moxie26]

Our Model T suppliers do handle parts for foot switches such as insulation gaskets and terminal parts. My experience in the past 25 years with repro starter switches is the same as others that had the contacts weld together on the first few uses... The original Ford starter switches, no matter which supplier manufactured, still hold up to Model T use..... It is best to rebuild the original switch.

[speedytinc]

Our Model T suppliers do handle parts for foot switches such as insulation gaskets and terminal parts. My experience in the past 25 years with repro starter switches is the same as others that had the contacts weld together on the first few uses... The original Ford starter switches, no matter which supplier manufactured, still hold up to Model T use..... It is best to rebuild the original switch.

Langs does list a "starter switch gasket kit". 7 pieces #5051HG, $3.95

I believe we can stipulate that there is no acceptable replacement switch to operate as originally intended.
(this also includes the necessity of a solenoid)

Has ANYONE actually fully rebuilt/restored an ORIGINAL starter switch?
Or are they being repaired/refurbished, Only cleaning the contact terminals & replacing the insulators?
Did/does anyone replace the 3/4 bridge connector plates & assorted insulators so involved or assess the return spring for replacement?

I have searched & find no information on a COMPLETE switch restoration.

[John kuehn]

Surprisingly I’ve found a few starter switches on abandoned and rusted up T frames or old trailer frames that were still good. In fact I have 2 T’s that I restored that have them. Don’t underestimate those questionable rusted parts. They can fool you!

[speedytinc]

Surprisingly I’ve found a few starter switches on abandoned and rusted up T frames or old trailer frames that were still good. In fact I have 2 T’s that I restored that have them. Don’t underestimate those questionable rusted parts. They can fool you!

I am in fact, trying to restore some rusty units.
The return springs are rusted out, but the contact hardware is usable.

[Allan]

Tack welding was my suggestion too Jerry. Then I was shown the screws. Altogether a simpler method, easily undone, and very effective.

Allan from down under.

[Moxie26]

Starter foot switch can be rebuilt

[Dan Hatch]

Change to a solenoid. Let the foot switch control the solenoid. That way your foot switches will last forever.
I like the ones from a 49/51 F series truck. They have a push button that can be use if your foot switch goes bad.

[DanTreace]

Change to a solenoid. Let the foot switch control the solenoid. That way your foot switches will last forever.
I like the ones from a 49/51 F series truck. They have a push button that can be use if your foot switch goes bad.

Yep. That's the better way. Rebuilt the Ford foot switch to clean the contacts and used new insulators, then fitted the solenoid to a bolt placed inside the foot switch cover, drilled hole in foot switch plate while rebuilding. The solenoid unit has to be grounded to operate. Remove paint from any of the ground contacts to the foot switch and the frame, to be sure of best ground return path.

Connect one side of foot switch to the solenoid 'S' terminal, the other side to the solenoid battery + cable then add starter + cable to the solenoid.

Works flawlessly, simple light foot press on the original Ford switch, fires the starter motor swiftly.