'53 Special carb starter switch - clean or replace?

[JBP]

Whilst motoring about the city last week (and feeling a small sense of satisfaction over the disapproving looks from Prius and Smart car drivers), the Buick became suddenly (and intermittently) balky when I would go to start her up. At one point, no action at all from the starter, but power to all lights and accessories, then keyed off and back on, and started up without issue. A pal correctly diagnosed it as the carburetor starter switch, which we confirmed by using a clip lead.

 

I cleaned the fine mesh screen last year, but understand that carbon and dirt can build up on the inside and cause the contacts to get dirty and cause the starting issues that the car is having. Did a search on the forum and saw a thread with the switch apart, but didn't see it explained exactly how that's done. Does the metal base pry apart from the (bakelite?) upper section? Just wondering about the best way to get it apart and clean it up.  

[old-tank]

Need the year, carburetor brand --- they are all different.  Pictures will help.

[JBP]

1953, Stromberg carb. Will grab some shots when I take it off the car. 

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

In the meantime, install a push button.

 

  Ben

[JBP]

Ironically, I removed the push-button last year that the previous owner had installed. 

[Aaron65]

The switch is very easy to disassemble and clean, so I'd give that a try first.

[Beemon]

Drop it in modern carburetor dip. It worked great for me. Or use electrical cleaning spray. 

[JBP]

Thanks Aaron and Beemon. Unscrewed the switch and had a look inside. It was pretty dirty, so cleaned the contact areas up and zapped her back on the car. No issues with starting (but I still have the push button on standby, Ben). A shout-out to Al M. who kindly emailed me the exploded diagram from the parts book. 

 

Also installed a fully rebuilt correct generator, which was the last piece to complete the engine bay. Generator came from a shop outside of Boston, and they did a great job on it. 

Edited September 16, 2018 by JBP (see edit history)