Ignition switch question

[gono]

I believe I have a stock ignition switch and it is a two position switch. When I switch it to the on position, the the IGN 2 connections are hot, but the Start and IGN 1 are not. Do I have a bad switch electrically? or could the switch be bad because it will not move to the the third "start" position? Thanks

[mr48chev]

If the truck (55 stepside) came with a six in it the "start" button was on the floor (that hole to the right of the gas pedal) and the switch did not have a "start" on it.

I think what most guys with those trucks do is swap the original ignition switch out for a V8 switch that has the start capability built into it. Or you can put a pushbutton in or under the dash to start the truck. A push button that is hidden under the dash but is easily reachable by the driver sitting in the seat also works great as a bit of a safety device as kids or other people can't start the truck by turning the key alone.

[gono]

So does the V8 switch look different than that 6 cyl switch? or does the 6 cyl switch physically look the same but doesn't have the "start" function in it?

[Russell Ashley]

The V8 switch looks the same and fits right in in place of the 6 cyl switch. What was confusing to me when I was at the point of changing my ignition switch was that my original 6cyl switch had a start tab on the rear just like the V8 switch. I thought maybe the tumbler was different an just wouldn't allow the key to turn to start. I bought a new tumbler but it didn't work so I bought a V8 switch.

For what it's worth: The V8 switch would let the key be turned backward which I thought (hoped) was an "ACC" position, but the acc tab was not hot when turned backward. Someone here on the forum told me that the switches sold as a V8 truck switch are actually car switches. If you have the car tumbler you can turn it to the normal off position, remove the key, and use the wings on the tumbler to start the vehicle. You turn it backward and remove the key and the ignition is locked. This is a pic of the car setup in my truck.

[gono]

Ok, I'm thinking I have a 6 cyl switch. Was it common for the 6 cyl trucks to have a foot start and the V8's to have the normal key start?