335 compression release

I bet most here have no idea what you are talking about. I don't recall a compression release in the cab, and it was always on the top front of the motor on conventionals. I read, Freightliner cabovers had them on the floor to the right of the drivers seat, but no other info. Sounds like a job for "Rube Goldberg",,.

 

I remember them. There was a T handle below the dash on the Diamond T and Kenworth conventionals. They worked pretty well actually - spin for a bit with the handle pulled to get the oil flowing and get the rpms up, then let her fire!

 

I do not recall them in cabovers. My 71 Ford is the same way. Saw many of them in 4000 Whites, Autocars and such. They had a pivot at the LF of engine similar to a car clutch Z bar but turned sideways. A solid rod came off of that to the knob in the cab.
If you can not find what you want I wound look to install a cable threaded at both ends. Make a bracket for the engine end off the intake bolts? Mount the other end in the shift pedistol or floor next to seat? Shorter and straighter the better. That pivot assembly from a conventional should not be to hard to find.

 

I had a 1974 white road commander with a 335.
It had the same set up as you describe but mine also had no linkage in the cab.
I used to carry an old v belt and hook it over the lever pull it and then reach in the cab crank the engine and let the belt go.
I also had a 1974 Pete 359 small cam 350 with the very same set up.
On the Pete it had linkage hooked to the lever along with a heavy duty cable with a T Handel on it that mounted under the dash by by the drivers knee.
With the compression release and the south wind hot box it had on it you could start that thing easily in -35 degree temperatures.
The worst part about starting it in those temperatures though was biting your nails staring at the oil pressure gauge waiting for it to jump up lol

 

My uncle had a 70 with a 335, and I definitely remember the compression release. The handle was on the shifter plate behind the shifter.

They took the transmission apart to try and reverse 7th and 8th, to make 7th an overdrive (13 speed). One of the mechanics helping had big feet, and he kicked the series parallel, so the second bank didn't charge, but it would start, until that bank wore down. So after my uncle's Peterbilt caught fire, we had to move the Freightliner, and my dad cranked it with the compression release pulled. The sound of it cranking with the compression release pulled and the dyno were the most memorable sounds from when I was 5.

 

Does it spin over good with 3 batteries? You may not need it if timing and has been setup right. The shaft was removed from my 350 when it was overhauled in ‘93 and the holes were filled with freeze plugs. It spins over great without it while the 220’s and 250’s I have give a good struggle if not pulled.
Some Pete cabovers used a chain that went through a hole close to fuel peddle that was connected to a handle mounted under dash to pull up the bell crank on the engine. Not sure what setup White-Freightliner used. It may have been a rod linkage with the same thread on swivel ends as the throttle linkage from floor board right of seat. Pull up two or three inches to engage.
Put a return spring on it if you can at the motor end to keep it closed tight so the rod will not touch the pushrods when not being used. As they age you can sometimes hear the rattle/ tick from it at idle if it does make contact.

I have an extra bell crank for an NH 220 743 but it is a different throw and size then one for an 855 due to water pump and fan mounts being different.

 

@Hardy541. When i get home tonight I will take pics of the setup on the 250 in the White 4000 I have. Its not a cabover but it will show folks who may want to know what all the posters been talking about