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| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 138 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 138 | Hello,
I just studied this: '6-volt vs 12-volt Flywheels and Starters' by a collection of authors and I have a question.
My full restoration of my 1948 GMC 1 ton had the plan to change everything over to 12 V and I was going to have the starter re-wound for 12 V, but the article mentioned made me question my idea and plan.
Am I wrong, foolish or just ignorant?
Let me know your thoughts and advise on this, please.
JoergK. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2023 Posts: 103 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2023 Posts: 103 | If you have a Canadian GMC it should have a 216 cu.in. or 235 cu. in. Chevrolet engine not an American GMC engine. If this is the case you can keep the original 6 volt starter as is and operate it using 12 volts as long as you do not keep the starter activated for long periods of time. The engine should turn over and start quicker with 12 volts applied.
1954 Chevy 1300 engine 235 (1959)
1955 (first series) Chevy 3100 engine 261 (1957)
1927 (other brand) Model T- engine 327 (1968)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,499 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,499 | Same for GMC engines. My 6 volt starter has been operating on 12 volts for over 40,000 miles.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | I had a question also, can we just measure the pinion grear shaft OD instead of gear ???? That would seem to be easier and only .001-.002 off ??
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,243 Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator) | | Herder of Cats, Goats, and Sheep (moderator) Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 2,243 | Is your question whether or not you can just use the 6V starter on a 12V system?
If so, the answer is yes.
If not, can you help us understand what you need to know? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,881 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,881 | The original 6V starter will live about 3 days past forever on 12V. Just keep the engine well tuned and feed it the right fuel mixture so it starts quickly when cold. As long as you don't have to run the starter for over about 10 seconds at a time the overload won't damage it at all. The "Super torque" starters we used on high compression round track racing engines were built with field coils and an armature for a 6V starter.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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