Do I I need a new starter?

[big job]

What can I say 1950 F6 changed to 12 vt. generator in 1960. This is 2016 Dec 11.
same 6vt starter never been touched. Just got serviced yesteday, its a sander and who knows what mother nature will throw at us.

[cobbie]

I guess I am not under standing, Ronnie says just replace the flathead starter case with a FE case, keep flathead armature and front end cap with long bolts. What makes it more power? they claim Ford uses the same size wire and number of windings are the same what gives them more power.

[Mike51Merc]

Originally Posted by cobbie

I guess I am not under standing, Ronnie says just replace the flathead starter case with a FE case, keep flathead armature and front end cap with long bolts. What makes it more power? they claim Ford uses the same size wire and number of windings are the same what gives them more power.

It's about the field coils and I'd say the windings are different. You can do essentially the same thing by finding a set of 12V field coils and swapping them into your 6V case.

The problem with putting 12 volts into a 6V starter is that it makes the starter too powerful. Swapping field coils tones it down a bit.

I'm impressed because you can find an FE Starter through any auto parts store a lot easier than finding a set of 55 year old 12V field coils.

[cas3]

i went on a mission today for an fe starter for the 12 volt case. first two stops all starters had a shorter case, unknown application, friends junk piles. next looked at an old motors manual and saw only that fe starters all had that "half a potato" can on the side with the magnetic switch, not the one either. last stop was an old junk yard that also told me all fe starters have the "potato" on the side. finally we went to his junk pile and found two without the potato, and with the long shaft for the bendix. y block, or early fe i dont know, but i have two here now. will report back when its spinning!

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Mike51Merc

It's about the field coils and I'd say the windings are different. You can do essentially the same thing by finding a set of 12V field coils and swapping them into your 6V case.

The problem with putting 12 volts into a 6V starter is that it makes the starter too powerful. Swapping field coils tones it down a bit.

I'm impressed because you can find an FE Starter through any auto parts store a lot easier than finding a set of 55 year old 12V field coils.

You are also in for a "turd" of a job removing the field coils as it is easier said than done.Those nasty bolts that hold the fields in is a special item that refuses to come out easily. Bin there done that won't be easy for a back yarder at all.Not only that you have to remove 2 sets and install one set.But if you want to punish yourself feel free.

R

[Mike51Merc]

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Originally Posted by Ronnie

You are also in for a "turd" of a job removing the field coils as it is easier said than done.Those nasty bolts that hold the fields in is a special item that refuses to come out easily. Bin there done that won't be easy for a back yarder at all.Not only that you have to remove 2 sets and install one set.But if you want to punish yourself feel free.

R

Agreed. Ford made a special tool for removing those ridiculous retaining plugs. Could have used hex heads, but NOOOOOOOOO!

[cas3]

well i got two good 12 volt starters now, thats a great trick, thanks for the tip. and yes, to remove those bolts to change the coils would be a lot more of a project. i once welded a nut to the bolts to remove them.

[drolston]

I did the FE conversion on my 59A/B. It was easy and the cost of the donor starter was only $45. I thought I would replace the Bendix as long as I had it out. Starter worked fine for about six months and then sheared the collar on the POS Bendix replacement. Replaced the Bendix with the modern torpedo type and that has held up so far (one year).