The CJ3A Page CJ3B.info

Author Topic: Foot Starter  (Read 5943 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Gunslinger

  • Flatfender Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 942
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Cj3a, M38A1,
    • View Profile
Foot Starter
« on: April 06, 2014, 09:24:03 AM »
Gents,
Easy question here, the original Willys foot starter used a block of Oak to center the push rod and support it in the cab, it was bolted to the fire wall, the rod went through it and connected to the starter.  At least that is how I understand it.

1, Does anybody know the thickness of that block?  It seems that anything over about 1/4 inch thick will be difficult to thread onto the push rod, at least I'm assuming that you have to have a hole no larger than 3/8 inch in order to properly center the push rod.

2, The other option is to cut the round push plate off, thread the rod through the block and re-weld the push plate back on.  Seems odd to do it that way.

What say you all?

Gunslinger
Climbs trees, hides in the long grass, hangs out with wet dogs...

Offline Oilleaker1

  • Willys Guru
  • ****
  • Posts: 201
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Automotive Archeology/ Jeep Disease, Green Diseas
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2014, 09:52:09 AM »
I made my own plate out of 1/8 inch steel and then a 1/4  inch thick piece of rubber with a smaller hole for the push petal rod. No rattles that way and works like the wood. Very stupid design. The floor 2A button in my opinion worked so much better. They went backwards on this one. John

Offline Ryan_M

  • Flatfender Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1704
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2014, 10:12:04 AM »
I made a out of oak following the specs on Bob W's page. So far so good:

http://www.cj3a.info/tech/sblock.html
Current:
'49 CJ3A
'51 CJ3A
'42 Willys MB-T
'47 Bantam T3-C
Previous:
'46 2A
'51 3A
'52 3A
'52 M38
'54 3B
East Coast Wi

Offline 1955CJ-5

  • Flatfender Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Karma: +0/-1
  • It wasn't always green....
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2014, 11:01:23 AM »
I also made one using Bob's dimensions...I used 1/4" birch aircraft plywood,mostly because I already had some... and then  I painted it.

Most hobby stores that carry model airplanes would have it...
« Last Edit: April 06, 2014, 11:17:07 AM by 1955CJ-5 »
1955 CJ-5, A friend for 58 years....1951 CJ-3A, a new addition. 1929 Model A Ford Closed Cab Pickup...

Offline Bob W

  • Flatfender Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2307
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2014, 07:15:57 PM »
Quote
The floor 2A button in my opinion worked so much better. They went backwards on this one.

The CJ-3A "kick start" arrangement was also used on the WO Utility vehicles of the same time period. Apparently it was not real popular because they went to key start in '53 - on the CJ-3A at least.  ;D
This was supposed to solve the problem of unwanted starter disengagement when the engine just coughed but did not start.
Bob W

Offline Oilleaker1

  • Willys Guru
  • ****
  • Posts: 201
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Automotive Archeology/ Jeep Disease, Green Diseas
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2014, 07:56:58 PM »
The M38 starter works about the same as a 3A. The push with your foot gets irritating and it takes quite a stab to get things rolling. Most wood blocks are long gone. Then Bubba gets a hold of it and then look out. Wow. John

Offline PaulS

  • Willys Guru
  • ****
  • Posts: 271
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Still Plays With Jeeps
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2014, 10:18:48 AM »
Quote
This was supposed to solve the problem of unwanted starter disengagement when the engine just coughed but did not start.

My tractor (same age as my 3A) has that problem.  It's annoying as heck.  I like the positive engagement of the foot starter.  Having said that, you can buy retrofit Bendix units for the tractor that use a newer design that won't kick out at the slightest cough of the engine.  Those may have been available when WO went to a key start in 53.  (When I have some reason to pull the tractor's starter, I'll be updating the Bendix for sure...)

-Paul

Offline macrisel

  • Flatfender Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 639
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Always in the middle of a project
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2014, 01:09:51 PM »
Quote
I made a out of oak following the specs on Bob W's page. So far so good:

http://www.cj3a.info/tech/sblock.html

I made mine out of some leftover composite deck wood my father had then painted it black.  Looks great, still has a wood grain and will not rot.  I used the same material for my spare tire spacer block.

Offline Bob W

  • Flatfender Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2307
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2014, 08:22:27 PM »
The M-38 starter pedal assembly was more robust than the CJ-3A assembly.



Utility vehicles had extra linkage that placed the starter pedal closer to the gas pedal - where it should be.



And both the M-38 and utility vehicles had a rubber pad on the starter pedal.

Bob W

Offline 1955CJ-5

  • Flatfender Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Karma: +0/-1
  • It wasn't always green....
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2014, 08:47:55 PM »
I used one of those pads on my 3a....it helps keep your foot in place...they will also work on the horn button!

1955 CJ-5, A friend for 58 years....1951 CJ-3A, a new addition. 1929 Model A Ford Closed Cab Pickup...

Offline Oilleaker1

  • Willys Guru
  • ****
  • Posts: 201
  • Karma: +1/-0
  • Automotive Archeology/ Jeep Disease, Green Diseas
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2014, 08:16:31 AM »
Hey, cool, I can then use my foot to honk the horn right? ;D John

Offline 1955CJ-5

  • Flatfender Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2359
  • Karma: +0/-1
  • It wasn't always green....
    • View Profile
Re: Foot Starter
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2014, 03:58:00 PM »
Quote
Hey, cool, I can then use my foot to honk the horn right? ;D John

ONLY if you can use the horn button to start the motor!  :D
1955 CJ-5, A friend for 58 years....1951 CJ-3A, a new addition. 1929 Model A Ford Closed Cab Pickup...