Ignition switch question V8 Vs straight 6

[jimig1]

What is the difference in a V8 Vs straight 6 ignition switch. I have been searching for the answer but have yet to find it.

[G&R's57GMC]

The V-8 has a crank position, the 6 uses a button on the floor to engage the starter.

[NW Task Force]

I was wondering if you can buy a V8 ignition switch and directly plug it into the factory harness plug? Are the ignition plugs totally different or can you make a 6 cylinder ignition work with the V8 switch? I am planning on using my stock harness (6 cylinder) and putting in a V8 engine. How will this work?

[jimig1]

Thanks for the info. My truck had a 6 cylinder but there were 3 ignition switches that the PO had in a box of stuff. Only 1 of them was for the truck and was not sure what one i had but it looks like I have the V8 Switch. Thanks

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by NW Task Force

I was wondering if you can buy a V8 ignition switch and directly plug it into the factory harness plug? Are the ignition plugs totally different or can you make a 6 cylinder ignition work with the V8 switch? I am planning on using my stock harness (6 cylinder) and putting in a V8 engine. How will this work?

Nope, you'll have to add a push button start switch.

Feed power to it from the run position then down to the solenoid on the starter.

This way you can't crank the engine with the key off.

[mr48chev]

You can also run an extra wire from the "start" pole on the switch to the solenoid.

As the truck won't have a neutral or clutch safety switch I'd consider putting a pushbutton in the wire from the switch so that you had to use both hands to start the truck. Turn the key with the right and push the button with the left at the same time.
With the pushbutton hidden under the lip of the dash but in easy reach it becomes a natural move. It helps keep unauthorized people and or kids or grand kids from starting the truck too.

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by NW Task Force

I am planning on using my stock harness (6 cylinder) and putting in a V8 engine. How will this work?

Please reconsider this. A new harness is a few hundered bucks and a weekend to install. Its alot easyer than rebuilding your truck after it burns to the ground. Sadly, far to often I hear about peoples projects burning up because they ignored the 50-60 year old wireing.

[1project2many]

The V-8 has a crank position, the 6 uses a button on the floor to engage the starter.

Hydromatic equipped 6's used the off-run-crank type switch as well.

I am planning on using my stock harness (6 cylinder) and putting in a V8 engine. How will this work?

If your truck is one of the ones that didn't have a fuse panel, it's far safer to replace the wiring than to re-use it. The wiring is not too complicated and a careful person could build a harness fairly inexpensively. If you're planning to do any customizing it's better to have the harness built after the truck's done anyway to minimize wasted work.

[NW Task Force]

Originally Posted by Root2812

Please reconsider this. A new harness is a few hundered bucks and a weekend to install. Its alot easyer than rebuilding your truck after it burns to the ground. Sadly, far to often I hear about peoples projects burning up because they ignored the 50-60 year old wireing.

Sorry, I left out an important piece of info. The entire truck was re-wired in the early 90's with a Painless Wiring kit. I assume the previous owner purchased the kit that corrisponds to a six cylinder application since that's what the truck had at the time. I wonder if Painless Wiring makes their kits "universal" for both 6 and 8 cylinder equipped trucks?

[Root2812]

Ahh in that case proceed.