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I have had an off and on problem since a I got the car with a dead electrical on restart after the engine is warmed and has sat for 15 min. or so. Several pumps on the accelerator and it took off. Now it will not turn over at all, when I turn on the switch and depress the gas pedal, the only thing working is the gauges.

I tried cleaning the ball bearing in the starter switch, could I have reassembled it wrong? First is the spring, then the metal contacts, then the silver metal "cup" that the ball rides in, and then the ball. I have the "cup" facing down. Any manuals that show the right assembly?

With help from past forum, the battery is charged, the voltage regulator was new when I got the car last year, the starter solenoid was replaced, and I checked the ground from the battery as Owen suggested with one side of a jumper cable.

Any suggestions on what else to try.

Some suggestions from a Motors manual.

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That's a good start (no pun intended). I would also suggest that you check the linkage from the accelerator to the carburetor. I have found that if it is too tight it will not allow the starter switch to engage. Try unhooking the rod from the carburetor and then use the carburetor shaft to start the engine. If that works readjust the linkage.

First, make sure the gearbox is in neutral and handbrake set. Then turn on the ignition and jump across the two contact screws on the carburetor starter switch. If the engine cranks, your problem is with the carburetor switch or the linkage, if it doesn't your problem is elsewhere.

Well it still won't start BUT:

Thanks to HH56 for the illustations. I think I had the plunger in up-side down. The detailed diagrams helped to figure it out.

Thanks to 49 Pack for the linkage suggestions. I tried this first because it was the easiest, but unforetunetly, it didn't help.

Thanks to Owen, as always, the idea about jumping the terminals worked. The starter turned over! I took it apart again and tried to clean the contacts as best as I could, but it still didn't work. I guess I need to replace the switch or less there is another trick to try.

kanter is listing the part as $98 used or $195 new. This seems a little expensive. Any other sources?

Thanks again guys, you're the best!

Most 39-54 Buicks also used the same Carter switch so possibly one of their suppliers might be a source if no one comes forward with a better option.

I think I'd also be tempted to add a Ford type pushbutton switch in parallel with the original switch & hide it under the dash. You can at least drive the car while you find another one & it also works great if the car is flooded or temperamental in starting.

The contacts on the switch movable part, especially after cleaning can be pressed too tightly to the plunger. If you haven't already done so you might try spreading them apart so they make more pressure on the contacts.
Good luck.

This wouldn't happen to be a black 4 door sedan that belonged to a Dermatologist from Grosse isle with an office in Wyandotte, would it?

Well, i finally got it started!

1. I was able to find some replacement parts for the started switch from a local friend. ( i really got lucky!)He suggested from his diagrams, that I disconnect the linkage, and push the throttle all the way open before inserting the ball so that it was in the right place. I used my parts to try it out.

2. This didn't work. I next used some of his used parts (spring, plastic with the contacts and plunger from his set.) Reassembled with the linkage off and throttle wide open.
This worked. , but the car wouldn't start.

3. I cleaned the plugs, and reset the gaps.

4. I figured my choke was not adjusted right, went back to the forums online and found instructions to adjust the choke. One thing I found interesting was that it said to re-install the air cleaner before tring to start. This didn't sound right, but it worked. It was running a little ruff, and I am hearing a noise in the water pump, but I'll try again tomorrow .

5. My car is maroon and came from Kentucky. I don't know who the "doc" is but I'd love to see his car if he still has it. Thanks to all for the help