Click, Crank, Fire: Vintage Starter Switches
Before the modern key-turn ignition, cars used a variety of heavy-duty switches to crank the engine. Whether you are restoring a truck with a Floor-Mounted Foot Switch or a 1950s car with a Push-Button Dash Switch, we have the authentic parts.
Reliable Contacts Old switches develop carbon buildup, causing intermittent starting. Our NORS Starter Switches feature heavy copper contacts to handle the high amperage of 6V and 12V systems.
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Floor Switches: For that classic foot-start experience.
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Solenoid Switches: Direct-mount switches for vintage starters.
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Neutral Safety: Switches that prevent starting in gear.
The DIY Fix: Carbon Brushes for Starters & Generators
You often don't need to replace your entire expensive starter or generator—usually, it's just the Brushes that are worn out. These carbon blocks transfer electricity to the spinning armature. When they wear down, contact is lost, and the unit dies.
Rebuild It Yourself At Old Car Parts NW, we encourage rebuilding! We stock high-quality Carbon Brush Sets for:
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Generators: Restore charging output on 6V and 12V DC generators.
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Starters: Fix a starter that spins slowly or has "dead spots."
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Alternators: Simple slip-ring brush replacements for Delco and Ford units.
Maximum Cranking Amps: NOS Battery Cables & Trays
A slow-cranking engine is often blamed on the starter, but the real culprit is usually resistance in old, corroded cables. This is especially critical on 6-Volt systems, which require massive copper wire to flow electricity efficiently.
The Heavy-Gauge Advantage
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NOS Battery Cables: We stock authentic NOS (New Old Stock) and NORS cables featuring heavy-gauge copper (00 or 1-Gauge) and lead terminals. These carry far more current than the skinny "universal" cables sold at modern parts stores.
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Battery Trays: Replace your rusted-out battery support with a heavy-duty steel tray that bolts right in.
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Hold-Downs: Secure your battery safely with correct clamps and J-bolts to prevent shorting against the hood.
