Hi All
I have a 55 first series 3100 that I recently had the starter rebuilt and the shop owner said it was a 6 volt starter from a 51-52 car. My truck was converted to a 12 V system and I had the starter rebuilt after she would not turn over.
Upon inspection, the shop mentioned to me that many of the teeth on the flywheel are rounded a bit and that they filed many of these teeth back to a reasonable shape and got her running. he did mention that the best solution here was to replace the flywheel and or the gear ring, as both are readily available.
the starter still grinds about every 4th or 5th start and the sound is dreadful, so I am thinking about now spending the cash to replace the flywheel ( will have it done, no space to do this myself) and perhaps the clutch since it will be "free" labor wise.
My question is though, that I believe the flywheel is probably the original 139 tooth and while the starter works just fine on 12V, I am wondering if the starter would grind away a new flywheel quickly as well.
Upon looking closer at my setup, I noticed the bell housing is also not painted like the rest of the engine, so I am wondering if the bell housing was added/swapped separately to allow the starter I have to mate, as I was also thinking of just upgrading to a newer flywheel and actual 12V starter that are matched.
the truck is a 55 first series, 235 inline.
So - should will a new flywheel survive the starter OK? - or do I need to figure out a true swap of both flywheel and starter?
this is a recreational truck, and I will only be driving her at most 1500 miles a year and she will sit for at least 6 months while I wait out the Michigan winters
Any help would be appreciated - I am really worried about the grinding sound
Thanks to all who respond
Joe
