I just bought an NOS starter switch off eBay. The advertisement said it was for a '60 Valiant. It is a Bendix solenoid starter switch. I got the switch and it looks exactly like mine, except for where the wires connect. On my original starter, the switch has two posts that connect to two round plug-wires. The new switch has two flat side-by-side prongs like an appliance, and certainly won't work with the heads of the plugs on my existing wires.

Is this truly a Valiant switch and have people had to alter their wiring to accomodate this NOS part?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Not quite sure I grok your description. Can you show us the auction you won, or give us an eBay number?

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

Dan, here's the auction#: 4584264401

Tell me what you think.

Thanks.

Evan

That's a starter solenoid applicable to 1960-1961 Valiant and Lancer with automatic transmission, all markets worldwide, used with Auto-Lite (Prestolite) MDT-7009 starter, plus 1963-1966 Canadian-market slant-6 engines with automatic transmission, all bodies, used with Auto-Lite (Prestolite) MDT-6017 starter.

The two flat terminals are the solenoid coil (trigger) connections. One of them gets +12v via the "start" position of the keyswitch, and the other one grounds through the Neutral Safety Switch. The solenoids for manual-transmission cars had only one flat terminal; the coil was grounded through the solenoid's mounting bracket. This solenoid can be used on a manual-transmission car by grounding one of the coil terminals.

The curved bracket shows us this is not applicable to the '60-'61 larger-than-A-body cars with an MDT-7002 starter. Identical to the MDT-7009, except no threaded holes on the starter motor housing to accept solenoid attaching bolts. Instead, those applications mounted the (flat-bracket) solenoid on the firewall or fenderwell, like a Ford, and ran a cable from the battery to the solenoid, and from the solenoid to the starter. This solenoid, with its curved bracket, mounts directly to the MDT-7009 or MDT-6017 starter. A cable runs from the battery to one of the solenoid's large terminals, and a rigid copper strap, about 3-1/2" long, with a quarter-twist in it, connects the solenoid's other large terminal to the starter feed terminal.

This should work just fine on your '60 unless someone has installed a non-original type of starter—there are a few that will fit and work.

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

The original starter switch on my starter looks exactly the same as the NOS one with the exception of the two terminals.

On my switch, instead of flat, appliance-like prongs, I have two posts that look like the ends of two machine screws, with a nut at the base. The heads of the wires look like two mini-spark plugs and plug onto the tops of them. My existing plugs won't work with the flat prongs on the NOS switch. That's why I was confused.

How would you suggest I use the NOS switch? Cut the heads off the wires and find a plug that will work with the two prongs? They are riveted onto the switch: there's no way to remove them.

Oh, interesting, just like the connector on your temperature gauge sender (top front of cylinder head). Now you've got me thinking, wondering if I made a mistake.

(checking books)

Yep, in fact I've made it wrong. Brain fade. That solenoid you've bought will fit the '63-'66 Canadian cars, maybe some late-production '61s, and a great many Ford and AMC vehicles. I'd forgotten the early cars used the stud-type solenoid connections.
Two options: Either cut off the original connectors and install 1/4" female blade terminals, or buy the switch that's actually for your application.

Just as an aside, most of the replacement parts you'd need, such as the starter solenoid, are still readily available in the current aftermarket. NAPA would happily sell you the replacement solenoid with the correct terminals, for instance.

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