pull starter set up

[jvandyke]

I'm looking for pictures of a pull starter set up on, anything that had it I guess, MK1 Midget. I got a switch, seems pretty darn straight forward but a picture is worth....not screwing it up. Car had (PO rigged)push button starter (to a solenoid) but I like the little pull knobs so, well...it's my car.

 

[tony barnhill]

I'll take some photos of my '63 Midget for you.

 

[healeyboz]

Yeah, it is pretty straight forward. The only issue that I can remember hooking it up for the first time was finding the "sweet-spot". So as to not have to pull the cable too far and still retracts back enough to fit tight against the dash. You might not run into this problem.

 

[chrpark]

i took some photos too, as I was dismantling my Mk II Sprite. The pull starter worked like a charm, I'll see if I can figure out how to load the pics here.

 

[jvandyke]

Super. Seems like a straight shot through the firewall is best. Still wonder a bit how some models have it by the tach. I can put mine wherever I want pretty much. I'm redoing my oak dash and am having fun. Got the original ignition switch back in, moving the switches and such around to suit me, I'd like to get matching knobs for everything though. Almost everything is a pull switch.

 

[regularman]

I saw this thread and thought "when did they put a pull start on a spridget? I have seen them on old VWs and the old Minors had a hand crank, but you mean the pull solenoid.

 

[jvandyke]

Yep, I guess so.

 

[SilentUnicorn]

Snowmobile engine?? might get more horsepower...


how about and old merc boat motor?....make a midget float....lol





mark

 

[jvandyke]

I saw this thread and thought "when did they put a pull start on a spridget? I have seen them on old VWs and the old Minors had a hand crank, but you mean the pull solenoid.

I don't call this switch a solenoid because I thought solenoids where electromagnetic switches activated by electricity and this is purely mechanical, right? pull to close the circuit, release to open it.

anyway, there was a picture recently on a thread I should remember of an engine bay with this switch and I wanted to see how it was mounted and all that and I can't find it back, anyone have a quick reference for me?

 

[scoutll]

Jeff,

I'll attach a picture in a bit.

Bryan

 

[Sarastro]

Here's my setup...

I'm not sure what it looks like behind the dash, but in the engine compartment it's just a simple cable to the switch and electrical cables to the battery and starter.

 

[scoutll]

Here you go

 

[scoutll]

And here

 

[scoutll]

3

 

[scoutll]

4

 

[scoutll]

Here is another good shot from the firewall looking at the mount and bracket set up.

 

[jvandyke]

Thanks guys. Bryan, does your cable go behind the battery then through the firewall to the knob by the tach? And Steve's looks to go straight through to the knob toward passenger side. Mine will be more BE-like then as that's where my dash has a hole for something. Thanks again. It's a bit silly to ditch the perfectly good solenoid and push starter but there's just something about pulling a knob to start the car that seems old school and cool, so why not? I'll keep the solenoid handy.....

 

[scoutll]

Yes, mine is in the Midget position next to the tach. The choke is to the right where the starter is on a Sprite MK 1.

The mount for the solinoid is welded to the scuttle and the cable bracket is bolted to that. You can see it best on the last underhood photo I think.

Actually, I have been seriously considering swapping the heat and choke controls around so the choke is next to the starter.

 

[jvandyke]

Here's my currently proposed dash re-do set up. Moved blinker toggle from behind dash on passenger side (not very convenient) to the former horn push button location (steering wheel horn push will be made to work... I hope). Former push button starter becomes pull starter. I think the new blinker toggle location will be alright, right behind wheel, quick grab with the right hand. I could swap starter and choke to put the starter pull next the key but cables are set to go already and a bit better lined up as is, so long as the passenger doesn't play with knobs.

 

[jvandyke]

This is probably a stupid question but, looking at the wiring diagram and those pictures, one lug on the pull switch (I still refuse to call it a solenoid) goes to the battery terminal, (- on a postive ground car, + on negative ground) and the other lug goes to the starter. Yes? Doesn't matter which lug you use for which connection I assume as neither lug is grounded, right? (my old PO installed solenoid had a bit more going on).