M38 Start up sequence

[cs641]

I have a very early 1950 M38 that hasn’t tun since at least the 90’s, engine does turn over. What is the start-up sequence? Looks like the bendix for the starter has a manual release, never seen anything like that.

 

[NDT]

Pull choke if cold, turn on ignition, mash the starter on the floor, release when engine starts.
All 40’s and 50’s cars and trucks had the floor starter button.

 

[cs641]

Pull choke if cold, turn on ignition, mash the starter on the floor, release when engine starts.
All 40’s and 50’s cars and trucks had the floor starter button.

this one actually has a lever on the passenger side of the dash to engage the Bendix. In addition to the floor mounted starter.

 

[NDT]

this one actually has a lever on the passenger side of the dash to engage the Bendix. In addition to the floor mounted starter.

Someone jerry rigged that lever. Suggest you go back to stock setup.

 

[cs641]

Someone jerry rigged that lever. Suggest you go back to stock setup.

I’ll have to grab some pictures. It does not look Jerry rigged at all.

 

[cs641]

Here’s a photo of one of the starters I found online. The lever under the dash engages the lever towards the right of the starter. The button on the floor by the clutch gets it spinning, but the lever engages it to the flywheel.

 

[NDT]

That picture is of the later starter engaged entirely by the foot pedal. Super early M38s had a different starter but I could have sworn it was activated in the same way. I could be wrong, I am not a super early M38 guru.

 

[cs641]

Gotcha. On the later, M38’s where is the lever? Next to the gas pedal?

 

[NDT]

This is the early starter.
The foot pedal on the later M38 and M38A1 is above the transmission cover.