What is that for?

[jasonrocksout]

So on the attached picture, what is that spot to the left of the headlight switch for?

Also, what would've gone where the dummy plate is just to the right of the overdrive lever?

[Gordie]

The hole on the left is where a starter button was located.  It is a universal starter button and it was used for Ford cars from the early thirties thru the mid fifties. If you look behind the dash you will probably find the single wire that plugs into the Ford type starter button.  Most come with a chrome button but if you want colors order a 1940 Mercury in blue, a '40 Ford Deluxe in maroon or a '40 Standard button in tan from Dennis Carpenter or Bob Drake who specialize in reproduction Ford parts or go with the one that Fid found if your car uses the single wire type button.

[jasonrocksout]

So this car would've come equipped with a starter button then?  Or is that a "leftover" type thing from the 51 stampings that would've had some sort of dummy plate over it?  1952 corsair deluxe.

And do you know what that other spot where the dummy plate by the overdrive is was for? 

[Fid]

All Henry Js had a starter button. None were ever equipped with a turn key starter.  There were two types used: The '51s and '52 Vagabonds had an Autolite starter and the starter button "switch" grounds the solenoid to run the starter.  The Corsairs (and Corsair Deluxes) have a Delco Remy starter and the starter button on those cars applies 6 volts to the solenoid. It requires a completely different button and heavier gauge wires.  I've seen more than one Henry J which has been converted to a turn-key type starter switch.

[joefrazer]

A vent cable would take the place of the dummy cover.

[jasonrocksout]

A vent cable would take the place of the dummy cover.

Ahh... Gotcha.  Thanks!

[jasonrocksout]

All Henry Js had a starter button. None were ever equipped with a turn key starter.  There were two types used: The '51s and '52 Vagabonds had an Autolite starter and the starter button "switch" grounds the solenoid to run the starter.  The Corsairs (and Corsair Deluxes) have a Delco Remy starter and the starter button on those cars applies 6 volts to the solenoid. It requires a completely different button and heavier gauge wires.  I've seen more than one Henry J which has been converted to a turn-key type starter switch.

I had no idea.  Which is not a huge surprise 

My car (obviously) has been converted to a turn-key.  Also 12V neg-ground electrical.  So if I were to convert back to having a starter button (because hey, it's cool!) are the buttons different, like you said, or universal, like Gordie says above?  And in either case, is there a readily available button that's (at least mostly) identical to stock?

[Fid]

if I were to convert back to having a starter button (because hey, it's cool!) are the buttons different, like you said, or universal, like Gordie says above?

They are definitely different. It depends on if your starter is Autolite or Delco-Remy.
The Autolite type, KF P/N 212059 has one wire connected to it and  simply grounds the solenoid. The button is this one -
http://ecatalog.smpcorp.com/bwd/#/vehicles/parts/num/PB2?type=s

Autolite starter (white wire goes to starter button):


The Delco-Remy style, KF P/N 201464, has two wires connected to it and supplies voltage to solenoid.
It's also a much heavier duty push button switch as it has to pass more current.

Delco-Remy starter (white wire goes to starter button):


Gordie is correct in that you could use the Delco two wire style in the Autolite equipped cars.  You just need to connect one wire to the solenoid and the other wire to ground. My '52 Henry J Vagabond was that way for a long time till I found these Ford units were the same and got one.  You cannot however, use the one wire Autolite style in a Delco equipped car.

[jasonrocksout]

So is there, that you're aware of, a -pretty much the same- heavier duty button, for the Delco-Remy setup, available?  In lieu of coming up with an original part?

[Fid]

The Delco buttons do "burn up" as they have to pass much more current than the Autolite type. NAPA used to carry one but they don't any more.  I actually found a good one at my local Fleetfarm store. It's BWD Automotive UN28760.  I got it in 2012 but I don't know if it's still available.  Their website is   http://www.bwdbrand.com/en

Looks like this page may be helpful -

http://ecatalog.smpcorp.com/bwd/#/searchparts/searchText/button?type=p&search=s

Their part number S10 would work for Delco and PB2 is Autolite style.