Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 My b 42 has a foot operated starter push button mounted on the firewall just below the steering column. I've noticed others have a push button in the instrument cluster. My cluster still has a hole where a button could have been. Which one is correct? The floor mounted one looks like it could be original and it's a pain in the behind to operate. You need to be a contortionist with one extra foot to reach it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Freightrain Posted December 23, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted December 23, 2015 Wonder if it is like the typical 40's car/truck. You pushed on the gas with your heel and "toed" the starter button? 3 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 I think that's the way to do it. This truck is supposed to be a 1960 model. Kinda old technology for that year though. I'm still waiting for the information from the Mack museum to find out the exact year of this truck. What gets me is the hole in the cluster looks like it had something in it at one time. But the starter button on the firewall looks original as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 I'm going to say the firewall starter was original. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmerrill0516 Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 The panel or the cab or both could have been swapped out at some time but who knows. I'd get the panel switch which is available and change it out...These are not 1000 point show cars right? It will be correct and aid in functionality at the same time...now if only we could erase this posting, nobody would ever know... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 I think so too. But what could this hole be for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmerrill0516 Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 To my knowledge that is the starter switch hole...no tachometer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 that hole could have had a plug in it when new 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 To my knowledge that is the starter switch hole...no tachometer?No tach. I thought that was unusual myself. I may put one in though. I figured that was the button location, it's empty. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 that hole could have had a plug in it when newIt may get one now too! Seems like I always get the oddball stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 The panel or the cab or both could have been swapped out at some time but who knows. I'd get the panel switch which is available and change it out...These are not 1000 point show cars right? It will be correct and aid in functionality at the same time...now if only we could erase this posting, nobody would ever know... :whistling I won't tell anyone if you don't tell anyone. : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markpwhit Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 If it is worth anything - my B42 is also foot activated on the firewall. I typically use one foot on the starter - and the other on the gas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 If it is worth anything - my B42 is also foot activated on the firewall. I typically use one foot on the starter - and the other on the gas.I've done that with this one too. Just gotta remember to take it out of gear. No extra foot for the clutch pedal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 To my knowledge that is the starter switch hole...no tachometer?Most gas powered had no tach, it wasn't that critical for the power band. Paul 2 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Was thinking that too Paul. Have never seen a tach in a gas powered Mack.I'm not familiar with how those are wired, but that floor button is a pretty stout piece. Do they have a starter solenoid that it connects to(like a typical set up)? Or does it send power directly to starter motor? So if you wanted to use a small button on the dash you would have to include a separate solenoid. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 Was thinking that too Paul. Have never seen a tach in a gas powered Mack.I'm not familiar with how those are wired, but that floor button is a pretty stout piece. Do they have a starter solenoid that it connects to(like a typical set up)? Or does it send power directly to starter motor? So if you wanted to use a small button on the dash you would have to include a separate solenoid.It's wired to the starter directly with number two wire.It is a stout piece. Looks like it was replaced with a new one not long ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Ya, then if you put a button on the dash, you'll need to wire in a separate solenoid(like a Ford has) for the button to activate.I remember my '66 Cub cadet tractor had one of those buttons on it. It was not foot operated, it was on the dash and you used your hand. It would leave marks in the palm of my hand from pushing it in. I hated that thing!!! Lucky my '72 Cub has a key switch!Looked like this: Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75T Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 My 62 B-30 had the foot push to start button, I found a new stock Delco distributor and installed a diesel dash with a tach ,just to add on. Small B models have a character all there own. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Whan you recieve a paperwork from Mack museum you'll see the electic scheme there.That might light up the starter switch question.Don't know have you made a request though. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 I made the request for information at the end of October. It's a free service so I know it will take some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 Thanks for all the information, I'm glad I joined this group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 I'm going to say the firewall starter was original.Some were definetly made that way , I owned a B421 years ago and it was that way, I believe it was a 1963 year. terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlotpilot Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 PLEASEmake sure that critter is OUT of gear before you even think about starting it . we lost a damn good mack mechanic here a few years ago to one that was supposedly out 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 24, 2015 Author Share Posted December 24, 2015 PLEASEmake sure that critter is OUT of gear before you even think about starting it . we lost a damn good mack mechanic here a few years ago to one that was supposedly outThat's awful. I always wiggle the shifter a few times before trying to start it. (Wait for it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie dog Posted December 24, 2015 Author Share Posted December 24, 2015 PLEASEmake sure that critter is OUT of gear before you even think about starting it . we lost a damn good mack mechanic here a few years ago to one that was supposedly outThat's awful. I always wiggle the shifter a few times before trying to start it. (Wait for it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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