Is it better to push the clutch in when starting the truck?

I have put a million miles on a truck and never changed the starter. And I might add, I’m not an idle all the time driver either. If I don’t need to idle I shutdown.

 

I have also put millions on multiple truck and not had to change a starter. That statement does not prove your point.

Just because something didn't break does not prove anything. You would need to measure all affected wear points in relation to the part. Thrust surfaces, gear wear, bushing wear exctra.

 

With modern synthetic lubricants I probably wouldn't worry about it even if it put a tiny bit more wear and tear on the batteries and starter on a cold start. And the truck isn't going anywhere with the parking brakes set if you accidentally bump the starter with it in gear. Obviously check to make sure it's in neutral first. Most heavy truck tractors I have ever driven didn't have a clutch safety switch...that's more of a car and light truck thing. My F-350 has it and unfortunately there is no easy way to override it. (On previous cars it was as simple as unplugging a pigtail.)

 

Starting a 50's D8 with pony engine.
Pony exhausted thru the diesel intake mainfold.
You opened the release and engauge the pony, check the big rad fan IS turning.
Open throttle and eyeball the oil opressure gauge.
The second you have pressure, pop the release closed and watch the white smoke turn black.....

 

1980 Chem Leaman owner Op from Ohio had a cabover Pete with an Allison.
Would be running local when a long load came up and he would grab it and run home for the wife to team up.

 

trucks & all about trucks on Reels | truckerslover_ · Original audio

Uh oh!

 

Yes and no.

A starter turning over a cold engine will generate less torque because of the lower voltage from the cold batteries, but especially with older engines, will have longer crank times which generates more heat. And heat is an enemy of electric motors.

The longer crank times also means more mechanical wear at a given torque output. Does the lower torque balance the longer crank time?

As I pointed out before this devolved, on newer trucks, with the synthetic lubricants and short cranking times, clutching is a non-issue unless you're getting to the Arctic cold temps were lubricant viscosity is again high enough to slow cranking speeds enough to delay ignition. It can make the difference between a start and a failure due to falling battery voltage. And that is also true of older trucks running convention lubricants. The more HP the starter can put into turning over only the motor, the better the chance of a start.

I will say it's obvious many of you don't have experience with the old mechanical engines, many of which (for various reasons) were reluctant to start without ether below freezing. You did everything you could to make sure that motor was cranking as fast as possible or they simply wouldn't start without a boost, whether it be explosive or electrical.

 

the point he's making is that the difference between pushing the clutch or not is small. obviously in a million miles not enough to prematurely wear out the starter. a million miles on any part is pretty good.
Is there a difference, sure there is.. is it enough to worry about?? Probably not.. other than extreme cases