If the windings aren't fried, and the commutator isn't too worn out, you can replace the brushes. I used to be able to find them in NAPA. My 6 to 12 volt conversion on my '54 bel-air would fry the brushes quickly, like every 6 months. Got tired of digging brush dust out of the starter, and got an electric starter and flywheel from a '60 235. Had starter rebuilt and bought a new 168 tooth ring gear from NAPA.
Or you can use a starter from a 55-60 truck, they were 12 volts and foot-mash. But you've got to change the ring gear, cuz the 6volt starters used a 139 tooth ring gear, the 12 volt starters used a 168 tooth gear. Flywheel, bellhousing, etc are the same for standard tranny models, 54-62 with 235/261.
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