Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

I am posting this here to gauge the interest in the possibility of reproducing this accessory. I have the shops that could make the parts to make it so I thought I would throw it out there. Here is some background:

The company that made them was called the Allen Corporation in Memphis, Tennessee. The company may or may not exist anymore, but I would venture to say that is long gone. On the boxes and the instruction sheets I have found, the copyright was 1930. This leads me to believe that this accessory did not become available until 1930. However, it will work on any model a.

I have no idea how many they made or how long they were made for.

It is a useful accessory these days because all of us are older guys and pressing the starter pedal is not easy for some. It is hard to see it sometimes too or get it confused with the foot rest (we all have done it). It is a very simple design that is basically a few pieces of steel that are riveted together at one point and have some bends and holes. Its simple design makes it somewhat easy to reproduce and not mess up like the other reproduction design that Snyders and Brattons sell. It is a different accessory that is more work to install and has quality and fit issues. The "Spark Starter" just snaps on the rod and on the spark lever. An easy install. It works by retarding the spark up which expands the spark starter which engages the starter rod. Here is the illustration which was included in the original instructions.

Who would be interested in such a thing? Trying to see if it is worth producing for enough people.

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

Synders already sell this exact one

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

Chris: Do you have an original? The photo you show doesn't look like the photos in either the Brattons or Snyders catalogs. Yours is different. Perhaps someone can enlighten us?
mike

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

For RHD cars, these don't work. If we want a starter other than the pedal, we use a solenoid.

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

Does the "spark rod" stay disconnected? If so you have no spark advance?

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

There are a few styles of these in "Those Wonderful Unauthorized Accessories for the Model A Ford.

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

Here is what Snyder sells

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

Snyder's sells a similar product called the Sparky Start Unit:
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...RKY-START-UNIT

They also sell the Up Start Kit, which takes a slightly different approach:
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...F_UP-START-KIT

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

To kill a few birds with one stone:

I have two originals and have seen some other threads about them here. Have not seen too many for sale though.

Nobody makes a repro of this exact accessory just the same idea. Rdproductions of similar type have had issues.

The diagram does not show that after you put the spark lever through the hole on the Spark Start, you reconnect the spark rod. Everything will function as normal, just in retard position the starter will engage.

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

It seems like your design would transfer force to the starter rod via friction, using the two pincers that "snap" onto the rod. The other designs require you to unscrew the rod and then interpose a bracket between the rod and the starter switch. This seems like a more secure connection – is there a risk that the friction design would migrate out of position over time? Or is it designed so that the distance between the two pincer arms takes up all the distance between the switch and the floorboard?

I know it wouldn't be very traditional, but this seems like a design you could 3D-print quite cheaply, and if it worked using that material I'm sure you could undercut the $60-100 they're charging for the other designs.

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

I don't think it would move after some time, in fact I have had an original on my car for a few days of driving as a test and nothing has happened. It is supposed to be tight in between the switch and the floorboard, and I don't see it coming lose between that and the connection at the spark lever.

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

It was a design for ladies who had a hard time toeing the starter pedal,attaching it to the spark lever insures you don't destroy a bendix..I like the straight lever design that attaches to the steering column,it allows finger tip cranking without any spark control..and if it fails you can toe the start pedal..

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

Put me down for two.:)

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

Alright - thats two, anymore interest?

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

What would the cost be for one?:confused:


Bob-A:D

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

That is a good question, one that I should get the answer to. I don't see it being any more than the design the suppliers sell which runs around $70. Probably a lot cheaper.

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

I have had one of the Snyder's design for over ten years now. I put it on because of the old man problem of finding and pushing the starter lever. So far no problems and it has never slipped or malfunctioned. Jack

Re: Interest in Accessory "Spark Starter"
 

My Town Sedan had an "Up Start" https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword or something similar at one time. It had some pieces left on the car when I bought it. It had the collar on the start rod and the special bolt on the steering column.


Collar on starter rod.
https://live.staticflickr.com/3818/3...a7368332c2.jpg[/url]