I ordered a new starter pedal bellows and pad from CP. I saw your posts Nate, where you said just grab the end and twist. Mine came off very easily - not the 'pad end' but the other end with that screws into the next piece of the linkage just below the floorboard. The pad from CP is all rubber and I was not sure if I wanted to use it - just press and twist the new pad on the metal shaft. It seems to work ok...looks different but I might just paint the original metal pad (not sure how long the rubber will last). Anyway, the shaft that unscrewed just below the floorboard, has the threads stripped (maybe 2-3 good threads left). I put it back in and just hand-tightened it (seemed to snug up ok). Other than replacing the shaft, any suggestions how to use awhile longer with the bad threads?
There is supposed to be a jamb nut on the shaft to prevent it from loosening up and ruining those threads ~ just go get a nut and run it as far up the shaft as you can , then screw the shaft in until it stops , _hold_ it from turning as you run the nut down and snug it . I'm not clear on the rubber thing you bought ~ it's just a cover you had to force over the old metal button , correct ? .
threaded shaft I should have looked at that. The part of the linkage where the rod screws to, is fairly flat but is threaded. There was no nut on it...will see if I can get one on it. The new starter pedal pad is all rubber with a small hole (its a little smaller than the shaft - you just screw or twist it on (after you unscrew and discard the metal pad). I thought I was buying a pad that went overtop of the metal pad but no. Thanks Nate for your help. Penniwinkle Queen Creek, Arizona (I move back to AZ from SC - 26 years here)
penniwinkle this is what I bought http://www.classicparts.com/1947-59--Starter-Bellows/productinfo/40-315/ I am assuming this is similar to what you have? I just simply unscrewed the starter shaft and like nate said it had a nut on it. I then slipped the new rubber bellow over the shaft and then screwed the shaft back in, and tightened the nut. Next you just seal up the rubber bellow on the floorboard, and your done. I guess I have never seen a metal pad or anything like that. I know that just this rubber bellow worked great for me.
Penniwinkle : Right now , take the old starter button and toss it underneath the seat as I'm betting you'll be looking for it in a year or two . If you look on Steele Rubber Co's difficult to navigate site , I bet you'll find a nifty , American made rubber cover for your original cast iron starter button . Look under Buick etc. if not listed under Chevy. . The nut goes onto the shaft and then is run down against that flat part to lock it .
Starter pad Hi Wolf, yes, I bought the bellows too - no problems with it. I was referring to the 'pad', the part that your foot touches. The new product is totally rubber, not metal like the original. I painted the original pad black and think I will put it back on...it looks much better than the replacement. Nate, there is a 'nut' that is built into the shaft. Is on the end of the shaft, about 1/2 inch from the end...the 1/2 inch on the end is the threads that screw into the next part of the linkage under the floorboard. So, I put some 'locktite' on the threads and snugged the shaft using the built-in nut. Seems to be ok and think it might last awhile. Penniwinkle
