My 61' Valiant has an original analog (not sure of the spelling) starter relay.

Is there a digital relay I can use?

Thanks

Do you mean a solid-state relay instead of a mechanical one? Do you mean a relay that can be accessed by a logic trigger signal, or a wifi/bluetooth signal or command? Please clarify.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

+1. Please clarify what you mean by "digital relay" -- and maybe tell a little about what you are trying/hoping to fix or change. What do you not like about the present starter control circuit?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I have the starter relay, a points operated mechanical unit - I think it is an original Mopar part.

The relay is attached to the engine firewall, and as I understand, sends voltage to the starter motor when you operate the ignition switch. I think the relay also has a wire to the auto transmission to prevent the engine starting if the car is in gear.

Was wondering if it is possible to replace the relay with a 'modern' relay. The starter relay works ok now.

A '61 Valiant was not built with a starter relay of the kind you're describing; that started in '62 (on US models—not til later on Canadian-built cars). The '60-'61 cars had a starter solenoid mounted with two bolts to the starter itself. This solenoid has two large terminals — the positive battery cable connects to one, and the other has a bent sheet-copper strap connecting it to the starter motor's power terminal. The solenoid also has two small terminals — one has a wire running to the "Start" contact of the ignition switch, and the other runs to the neutral safety switch on the transmission, which completes that wire's path to ground when the transmission is in Neutral.

The '62-up system has a relay on the firewall with those same two small terminals, one to the ignition switch's "Start" contact and the other to ground via the neutral safety switch. In this application the relay sends power down to the small terminal on the '62-up starter, which energises the starter's build-in solenoid.
There is no functional difference between a "modern" relay and the relay you're describing. They look a little different (usually a plastic housing instead of metal) but that's all -- inside they still have contact points and an electromagnet. Again, what is it you're trying to change/improve? It sounds like there's nothing the matter with the setup you have now, though as I say, it also sounds like not an original '61 setup.

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Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I have a 61' Valiant, imported from Arizona, but I have used what you refer to as the USA 62' Valiant starter relay (which I think was used in Australian cars). I am not trying to improve the functionality of the starter relay, merely asking if a more modern relay can be used.

What is the purpose of the small felt pad on the outside body of the starter relay - the one mounted on the firewall?

So wait...you added this relay, it wasn't there before? What kind of starter are you using?
Not on their RV-1 (which was a US '61 model sold there as a '62) but yes on their SV-1 (US '62 sold there as a '62)
Yes, no reason why not. No benefit, though.
Allows breathing to control condensation.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.