my old timer couldn't fix the starter, i took it to a starter and generator shop today and they confirmed it was left engaged and spun some of the wires. good news is they can rebuild it for 75.00 and the also said it was a 12 volt starter. everything on this 54 seems to be 12 volts. it had a 12 volt generator that i swapped out for an alt. the guys at the shop seemed to think 54 was a year that the early 54s was 6 and the late 54s were 12. i don't know for sure but it was good news to find out was a 12 volt starter. ccb