Ford Jubilee 3 post Starter relay/solenoid

I have a 1953 Golden Jubilee that has a 3 post solenoid (stamped made in USA) and a 4 post key switch. The push button starter is not connected. The starter and switch are good. I've tried a 3 post solenoid from this site and it didn't work, plus tried one from O' Reillys it didn't work, got one from NAPA it worked but couldn't get it mounted because the bracket is set up differently, so I need help locating the correct 3 post solenoid that will work from a 4 post key switch. I noticed a lot of the 3 post solenoids have a remote button on the bottom, except the one off my tractor and from NAPA didn't. Any help appreciated. Thanks, Ron

The problem you have is that some one rewired it and they didn't do so correctly as in not as it came from the factory so hard to wire it up and have it work as it should

Old, I agree it was rewired, but was working on that wiring set up with a 4 post key switch for the 15 years I've owned it, just didn't want to have to rewire the whole thing if I could find a solenoid like the one that was on the tractor. It was a 3 post solenoid with no button on the bottom.

Get a 3 post solenoid made for a Ford car and your likely to have what will work

Thank you, I will give it a try

By the way they one from say a mid 60s car or Ford truck 3 post

Thank you for that info

A little background on the solenoids used on Ford tractors. Ford tractors from 1948 up to 1957 used a 3-post solenoid which required the small 3rd post
to be grounded using the button on the shift cover to engage the solenoid. In 1958 Ford started using the 4-post solenoid that required one of the
small posts to be connected to the ignition switch to provide power to the solenoid when the key is on and the other to be grounded using the button on
the shift cover to engage the solenoid. There are also solenoids that are 4-post but one of the small posts requires power to engage the solenoid and
the other small post provides full voltage to the point ignition system to provide hotter spark for starting. The last style is used on automobiles.

Sounds like you have a more modern switch with off/on/start positions versus the original 2-post on/off switch. I assume your switch does not provide
an internal ground when turned to start but instead a power output. If this is the case, you will either need a solenoid from a later Ford tractor
(801, 901, 2000, 4000) grounding one terminal and connecting power from you switch start position to the other, or one for an automobile which
requires power to engage.

FYI, the switch on the transmission cover is actually a safety feature requiring the tractor to be in neutral before it can be started. A very
important feature in my opinion.

Is there any reason you wouldn't want to wire it correctly and use the one and only safety feature Ford thought was important enough to put on these tractors, the neutral safety switch?