Starting the Car!

[89FerrariShelby]

So question. I went through tech at my "local" drag strip and got yelled at for having a car that will start without the clutch depressed.

Now, I have an 89 Daytona Shelby, and it's never needed the clutch depressed to start for as long as i've owned it. The tech told me there's no way that could be stock...

So is it? I have no clue. How can i fix that? I'd really like to drag the car, but not sure what is involved in fixing that....

[Force Fed Mopar]

It is stock, these cars didn't have clutch safety switches, or at least not until into the 90's anyway. Tell him to learn his old cars better I bet he doesn't give a '85 Mustang a hard time about it. Or a '70 Chevelle 454 SS 4-spd car. So what difference does it make?

If you have to install one though, it's a relatively simple matter of mounting a push button switch where the pedal will push the button in and cut the starter circuit when it is up. When you push the pedal down it will let the button pop out and close the circuit so the starter will turn.

[Bardo]

my 91 spirit rt was the same way

[89FerrariShelby]

awesome. knowing its a stock thing i feel much more comfortable telling them that. I wasn't sure so i didn't argue (figured he'd know). I'm not the first owner so i wasn't sure if it was disabled for the aftermarket stereo (has DVD) or something.

If they still wont let me in i guess i'll have to try what you said, sounds simple enough.

[dwh4784]

Yup, all of mine have been like that. It came it pretty handy when I broke a clutch cable on my Shadow.

[Force Fed Mopar]

Yeah came in handy on my Lebaron when the TOB took out the PP fingers too

[cordes]

Agreed that they didn't have them. Moreover I have never heard of that being a tech requirement?

[ShadowFromHell]

I thought that starting in gear thing only applied to auto cars? At the track I mean.

[tryingbe]

My 89 Daytona Shelby have no clutch safety either.

How was did it run?

[Turbo3Iroc]

Let me guess New England Dragway. That is the only track I have been to that seems to require that. My 92 has it but it is the only stick car (all TM's) that has had it. Other guys from the club that went there had to talk them into it that it was stock.

[raccoon]

awesome, I thought my clutch switch was broken.