The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Starter Solenoid

I'm going to buy a spare solenoid for my 53. The part number I'm finding shows 12 volts. My 53 is still 6 volts. Is the solenoid voltage dependent? I've found that part number several places as the correct part.

1118136, SS1079 listed as 6 volt but in description says 12 volt.

Carid’s website search shows 1108040, 1114316 and about 6-8 other numbers supposed all interchangeable.

Is it an actual solenoid, not a foot pedal switch? If so, yes, there is a 6V solenoid which would have been used on cars, not trucks after about 1950 or so. If you're working on a truck with a foot pedal start, the switch with the small side terminal resistor bypass will work on either voltage starter. You just don't need to connect a wire to the side terminal on a 6V system. The only 6V trucks with a solenoid start were the Hydra-matic equipped ones.
Jerry

The number I've been finding says SS210. I did find the SS1079 at Autozone. One place that give the SS210 number is Rockauto. I think I might have a lead on an NOS Delco unit but I'd still like to know of they are voltage dependent. It's basically a switch/relay and switches generally don't care about voltage but I'd like to find out for sure.

The coil in a solenoid would be voltage dependent, but the switch contacts are not. A 12V solenoid MAY pull in with 6V applied to the coil, but likely would not.

Here are some mechanical and eldectrical starter solenoids.
I think one of those mechanical/foot-starter solenoids has the side-post which HotRodLincoln refers to - it was not needed on 6v vehicles.

Nonetheless, I think that both types of mechanical-solenoids can be used with 6v or 12v starters/systems.

I did not check part numbers to see if that 1954 6v electrical-solenoid could be used on a 12v system. I think it could be used on 6v (positive/negative ground) 1952-1955st GMC/Chevrolet trucks with Hydra-Matic transmissions.

If I mentioned what vehicle this was for I couldn't post it here. Hint, hint. Going back and looking at Rockauto again it seems the SS1079 is the correct 6v part number. Question answered. Thanks all.

Thought so! Solenoids actually have two coils, and both of them are voltage-specific. The "pull-in" winding flows heavy current to overcome the spring that retracts the starter drive after the engine starts and the switch is released to the "run" position. Once the drive gear is engaged, that coil is shorted out, and a much lower current draw "hold-in" winding keeps the gear engaged until the engine starts.
Jerry