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| | | Forums66 Topics128,034 Posts1,055,542 Members48,425 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 | I bought a 1951 3100 that was an abandoned project. Has a rebuilt 235, never fired. There is no starter.I would like to use a starter with a solenoid and eliminate the foot starter. Where, what do find such a starter? I took a starter from another truck I had to the electrical rebuilder to be converted and guy said he couldnt do it. Steer me in the right direction please. Im not sure if the flywheel is a 6v or 12v, how do I tell?. Thanks for the help. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | To determine which flywheel you have count the teeth on the ring gear. Post the tooth count and someone will identify it for you. If its a 6 volt flywheel you could use a starter for a '49 - '54 Chev car, they had a solenoid mounted to the starter. If its a 12 volt you can get a starter for a '60 - '63 Chev pickup with a 235 as it had a starter mounted solenoid. Good luck. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 | Thank you! Flywheel has 119 teeth
Last edited by oldblue48; 10/09/2014 11:43 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | 139 teeth on 6v flywheels
168 teeth on 12v flywheels
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 | Yes indeed 139, dont tell my kindergarten teacher I cant count. Ok , so can use a 49-54 car starter. Those are 6v , can I give it 12v and still live?? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Do not crank too long with 12v and you will be OK.
If your engine is well tuned, it should start in a few seconds of cranking.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | I believe he wants to use a solenoid activated starter. Would that be a problem on 12 volts? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,760 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,760 | A sneaky trick is to fit a 12V solenoid to the 6V car-type starter. I'm pretty sure that's a bolt-on swap, and it won't overload the ignition switch "start" position by carrying a very heavy current to the 6V "pull-in" winding of the solenoid. The 6V armature and field coils will live a long time on 12 volts. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | There are also 6v solenoid starters available - they were used on some 1955-1st and earlier trucks.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,760 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,760 | There are also 6v solenoid starters available That's the problem- - - -the pull-in winding on a 6V solenoid will draw almost 100 amps on 12 volts. It wipes out the "start" position of a key-type ignition switch. If a 12V solenoid is installed on the 6V starter, it works better. Normal pull-in winding current on a 12V solenoid is close to 50 amps for a fraction of a second until the starter drive engages the flywheel and the hold-in winding is energized. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 | Perfect, thanks guys. The search is on for a 49-54 car starter
Last edited by oldblue48; 10/10/2014 3:14 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Chevs of the 40s sold me one a few years ago.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 396 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 396 | Jerry
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 46 | Found a starter and having it rebuilt, thanks for the help! | | |
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