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#85851 08/13/2003 1:55 AM | Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 53 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 53 | Is there any difference between a 6V starter and a 12V one? My truck has been converted to 12V and the starter looks like it might be original. None of the 12V conversion things I've read mention anything about changing the starter out. Are the original 6V'ers OK to use with 12V?
53 Dumpy
1951 Chevy 3100 "Ernestine"
1970 Chevrolet C10 "Ol' Blue"
1940 JD "long-hood" B
1959 Jeep FC-170
1960 IH B275
2013 Chevy Silverado
2023 GMC Denali 2500HD
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#85852 08/13/2003 2:22 AM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 24 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 24 | From what I have read & heard it will (starter)love 12 volts. Crank a lot better too. I have done it to a tractor with no problem. | | |
#85853 08/13/2003 3:43 AM | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 | I've always been a little concerned that my starter might be taking on just a little too much juice since I switched over to 12v, but for now it is having way too much fun cranking right over. Besides I have another starter up in the attic......
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
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#85854 08/13/2003 5:36 AM | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | yep - no prob running 6V starter on 12V - cranks great, ya just don't wanna try driving the last 3 blocks to the gas station on it!  Bill | | |
#85855 08/13/2003 2:23 PM | Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 53 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 53 | Originally posted by squeeze: ya just don't wanna try driving the last 3 blocks to the gas station on it! According to the previous owner, due to the carb being off the truck for rebuild, he moved the truck around the yard using the starter. At least he did as long as it lasted. Explains why I am working on it now. I'm gonna try just replacing the brushes and bushings and putting it back together. Also gonna try to look up how to check the field coils and armature for shorts. Is there any particular damage I should be looking for due to his using the starter as an auxilary engine?
53 Dumpy
1951 Chevy 3100 "Ernestine"
1970 Chevrolet C10 "Ol' Blue"
1940 JD "long-hood" B
1959 Jeep FC-170
1960 IH B275
2013 Chevy Silverado
2023 GMC Denali 2500HD
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#85856 08/13/2003 2:47 PM | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | LOL! wouldn't ya know! if the brushes aren't pretty bad lookin, or more likely the armature where the brushes contact, it prolly does have a fried winding - maybe ya got an auto electric place around that can check it out properly . . .
Bill | | |
#85857 08/13/2003 3:04 PM | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | I think that most of use have been guilty of using the starter to move a vehicle at least once! You can check the continuity of the field and armature with an ohm meter, but the only way to really check the armature is with a growler. Shop manual shows how it's all done.
Fred
52 3600
69 C-10
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#85858 08/13/2003 11:28 PM | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | I am using a 6v 216 starter on my 12V 261 with 11" clutch flywheel. I had the flywheel custom ground to fit the 6V ring gear and it's all footstomp. I kept the 4/0 cables I had with the six volt starter and it spins so fast the engine is up to idle speed before it even catches. I have run it that way for a few months with no problems. As long as you don't crank it for long enough to get the windings really hot you will be fine.
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | |
#85859 08/17/2003 2:49 AM | Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 53 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 53 | It would appear that what the previous ownser burnt out moving the truck with the starter was the battery. Got the starter apare and the brushes didn't look too bad. Did all the tests I could (without a growler), painted it, and reassembled. While I was waiting for the paint to dry, I pulled the battery to charge and It was dead as a doornail. I tested the starter with my jumper cables on my other truck and it works fine. Looks like I didn't need to do any starter work at all. Sure is purty with it's new coat of paint though!
53 Dumpy
1951 Chevy 3100 "Ernestine"
1970 Chevrolet C10 "Ol' Blue"
1940 JD "long-hood" B
1959 Jeep FC-170
1960 IH B275
2013 Chevy Silverado
2023 GMC Denali 2500HD
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#85860 09/04/2003 6:58 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 384 | I just found out (thanks to 53 4 me) that mine is a 12 volt system using a 6 volt starter. I have been having the occasional problem with the solenoid fusing together if I crank too long. ...No stomper. I think this is the problem tho. I guess you can't lay on the same combination of horn too long either! - Scott
55 1st Chev.
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