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I have a 46 GMC that is 6v and a 52 chevy that has been coverted to 12v. I know from my experience with my tractor when I converted to 12v I kept the 6v starter. Do/did they make a 12v version of a starter for a 235. I'm wondering if the starter in the 52 is an original 6v starter or is 12v. The 6v starter in the 46 and the starter in the 52 look identical. I'm robbing the 12v stuff off of the 52 to convert my 46 to 12 volt and wonder if I should take the 52 starter.

There is a 12 volt 235 starter, but they do not dierectly interchange as the flywheels have a different tooth count. I don't recall which is which off the top of my head.

Hi Jason,

Here is an old post with a few more details on the 6 volt and 12 volt starter. Pretty sure it is fine to run a 6 volt starter on 12 volts just so the flywheel matches.

If the starter in the '46 is good then just use it. The wireing in a 6v starter is harvier than a 12v and it will really wind the motor over, even with more zing that the 12v starter will. And like every one has noted the 6v and 12v gears are incompatable so if you use a 12v starter, you need a 12v ring gear and the same for the 6v system.
DG

Thanks for the info. It appears the starter that came out of the 52 is a 6vt starter.

If it fits the 1946's clutch housing and the drive gears look the same, try it.

The 1946 GMC would have originally been a positive-ground 6v system and the original 1952 would have been a negative-ground 6v system. Someone else will have to comment regarding this consideration.

changing the polarity for the starter does nothing. still spins the same way