The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1954 235 starter..

Hello-

Here is the question, If a person converts to 12 volts, can you use the newer starters 55 -> 62 with the soleniod on a 54 bellhousing and flywheel?

If I do convert to 12 volt, I thought it might be cool to have a push button start. I have heard that the teeth are different on the ring gear?

So the other thing I was thinking is: Use the bendix off the 54 starter and use the body of the newer starter with the soleniod. I don't have a soleniod starter to compare parts. Anyone have Ideas or comments?

Thanks,

Brent

I have a 261 with a 4-speed trany, which has also been converted to 12 volts along the way. The 12 volt starter I have has the solinoid directly attached to it and the whole starter assembly does bolt to the bellhousing. My starter is engaged via a keyed ignition switch, not by a foot starter. If you want pictures and model numbers of the starter assembly I could help you out, since I am in the middle of rebuilding my engine now and the starter is sitting on my bench. Let me know.

Your right about the teeth being different between the six and twelve volt starter. Easiest thing to do is to leave the starter as it is. Just don't crank on it for more than 15 seconds without letting it cool. I've been using mine that way for 4 years now, still no problems. And it cranks great in the winter.

Same bellhousing can be used, but the 12 volt starters were used with a 168 tooth ring gear, available from NAPA. 6v and 12v starter internals cannot be interchanged. The armature shaft diameters are different.

good luck

chip

I really wanted to keep my 6volt starter when I put in my 261, because I wasn't sure I wanted to convert to 12 volts. I had the '62 flywheel machined to accept the ring gear from my 216, and used the 6 volt 216 starter with the 216 bellhousing and the 261 flywheel and 11" clutch. It all fit up, you just have to match the flywheel to the starter.

The six volt starter works great on 12 volts. It spins crazy fast but I have never had a problem with it getting too hot. I never have to crank it more than a few seconds anyway.

Thanks for all the good info, Sounds like I might just keep the foot start. This is going in my 35 sedan, I thought if it was not to difficult it would avoid me cutting a slot in the floorboard for the foot start.

If I can get a 12volt starter for cheap, I might mess around and see what I can do.

Thanks,

Brent