The Ford Barn - 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

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6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

I'm changing from 6v to 12v and want to know if I can use my old '40-style starter solenoid? It's the metal type with the button on it and it grounds through a button on the dash. Thanks!

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

It will work fine. Mine has been working good for the last 22 years on my 39 coupe

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

If your car starts on the first revolution yes but if it cranks to start the coil in the solenoid will get hot and burn out. Best to change it to a 12 volt solenoid but why change to 12 volts, 6 works just fine for me and a lot of others? G.M.

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

I'd recomed 12 selonoid, I 've had a couple of 6 volt one stick while thay were cranking and had to rush around and unhook the batt for it to stop cranking. Scarry. Walt

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

Seven years...

Still testing mine, I'll keep you informed....

Karl

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

Two years and mine has been fine. By the way, where do you find a 12 volt solenoid that will work with the grounding principle of the starter button?

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike in las vegas (Post 397473)

Two years and mine has been fine. By the way, where do you find a 12 volt solenoid that will work with the grounding principle of the starter button?

You could use a relay to make it a ground acuated solonoid... I have a few 40 amp VW relays that I use for stuff like this...

Karl

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Wolf (Post 397536)

You could use a relay to make it a ground acuated solonoid... I have a few 40 amp VW relays that I use for stuff like this...

Karl

or you could replace the button with a isolated contact button (Neither contact is grounded) and run 12V thru it. or you sould use an isolated coil solenoid that could be activated by a ground...jack

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

go to napa and ask for a st56 selonoid

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.M. (Post 396916)

You'd have to crank for quite a while to burn it up...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike in las vegas (Post 397473)

Two years and mine has been fine. By the way, where do you find a 12 volt solenoid that will work with the grounding principle of the starter button?

They're for tractors or something, but they're available - not as readily available as a regular 12V starter relay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Wolf (Post 397536)

You could use a relay to make it a ground acuated solonoid... I have a few 40 amp VW relays that I use for stuff like this...

Karl

You certainly don't need 40A to hold the starting relay!! But there's no kill like overkill, I suppose. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkyard Dog (Post 397680)

go to napa and ask for a st56 selonoid

What's the application?

I've run all of my 12V cars on the original 6V starter relays - no re-wiring of the car required. They've lasted quite a while. I have had them stick once or twice, but a quick rap with a hammer or other heavy object, typically does the trick.

Re: 6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

Great answers, Thanks gentlemen!