The solenoid that bolts onto the housing instead of being integral with the nose cone was used in the mid-1950s on Buick and Cadillac, and probably Oldsmobile engines. Those marques went to a 12V system a year or two before Chevy in 1955. Yes, the "pull-in" winding of the 12V solenoid is what the concern is about. 12 volts is carried by the big contacts directly to the armature and field coils of the starter. Once the starter is turning, the heavy current pull in winding is disabled by having the same voltage on both ends of the magnetic coil, and a much lower current "hold-in" winding keeps the drive gear engaged in the flywheel.
Standard Motor Products SS 201 at Rock Auto:
1954 Cadillac
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