The Ford Barn

drolston · 06-02-2017, 01:49 PM

You can use existing starter button and 6v starter solenoid; the solenoid may fail earlier than normal because of the higher voltage, but it will work. They sell 12v starter solenoids that work on a one wire "button to ground." That is what I did when I converted my '41 to 12v. Be sure there is a good bare metal contact between the starter button snap fittings and the hole in the dash board. You can also use the 6v starter, but I do not recommend it, as it will slam the Bendix and may break it. I converted my 6v starter by swapping the starter exterior and attached field coils for one from an early 60's Ford starter for their FE series engine. Cost should be under $50 for that starter. It is a bit of a pain getting the brushes onto the armature when you put the pieces together, but you retain the original look and avoid the $280 cost of a custom 12v starter.

06-02-2017, 01:49 PM	#4
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,811	Re: Push button start question You can use existing starter button and 6v starter solenoid; the solenoid may fail earlier than normal because of the higher voltage, but it will work. They sell 12v starter solenoids that work on a one wire "button to ground." That is what I did when I converted my '41 to 12v. Be sure there is a good bare metal contact between the starter button snap fittings and the hole in the dash board. You can also use the 6v starter, but I do not recommend it, as it will slam the Bendix and may break it. I converted my 6v starter by swapping the starter exterior and attached field coils for one from an early 60's Ford starter for their FE series engine. Cost should be under $50 for that starter. It is a bit of a pain getting the brushes onto the armature when you put the pieces together, but you retain the original look and avoid the $280 cost of a custom 12v starter.