The change to a 12 volt electrical system was made mid-year 1955. If you've got a 55 1st. series engine it would have been manufactured with a 6 volt starter and a 139 tooth flywheel. The 55 2nd. series engine would have a 12 volt starter and a 168 tooth flywheel. The simple fix will be to install a 6 volt starter- - - -it will work just fine on 12 volts.

The reason the starter and flywheel must match is because the geometry between the flywheel teeth and the starter pinion gear has to match up. A 139 tooth flywheel with a 12 volt starter will be noisy, and will wear out quickly. Ditto for a 168 tooth flywheel and 6 volt starter.
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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