Converting 6V starter to 12V

[Herb Concord Ca]

Hi does anyone know how to rewire field coils for 12Volts.
I've been told that from 2 sets of 6V starter field coils you can make up 2 sets of 12V field coils.
Thanks in advance fro your replies.
Herb

[Lanny]

I've been running my 6 volt starter on 12 volts (with NO modifications)
for quite a few years, and have not had any problems.







.

[Da Tinman]

Originally Posted by Lanny

I've been running my 6 volt starter on 12 volts (with NO modifications)
for quite a few years, and have not had any problems.







.

Me too, no problems, in fact I think it likes it.

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Me too , i have three cars with six volt starters on 12 volts no problems at all.
One even runs a six volt generator with a 12 volt regulator , it works fine as well.........

[Karl Wolf]

I carry a spare spring for the (6V) starter drive... So far, 12V not a problem.. Karl

[Barlea]

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Herb, I've not tried this, but I'm told if you take a later Ford 12V starter apart, the case with field coils can be swapped with the 6 starter ends, drive and armature left as is. ..B.

[Bassman/NZ]

Originally Posted by Barlea

Herb, I've not tried this, but I'm told if you take a later Ford 12V starter apart, the case with field coils can be swapped with the 6 starter ends, drive and armature left as is. ..B.

That certainly applies to generators. My gennie has 12v barrel and field coils from a 1958 Ford, the rest is 47, Works fine. As others have said, you dont actually need to convert the starter or the gennie, they'll work just fine.
I have a new 12v starter and an original 6v. They both run at the same speed when bench tested with 12v.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

I don't know if the later starters are the same, but for the Model A starter the MAFCA site has some info.
To do the conversion, go to the MAFCA website Technical Q & A, Electrical section and go down to the CONVERTING 6 VOLT TO 12 VOLT paragraphs. It explains how to convert the starter. Here is the link.
http://www.mafca.com/tqa_electrical.html

[Vic Piano]

I've had three 6v starters converted to 12v due to snapping Bendix springs. I use our cars/trucks as drivers and some 6v starter Bendix springs have held up however, with extensive usage under 12v I find it easier to have the starters converted to 12v. It's no fun trying to change a starter motor when you're stuck in a parking lot, etc.

[john hamilton]

You normally can't use a 6v motor with 12 v but since the starter is used so seldom it is OK. Even changing from 6v positive ground to 12v negative ground doesn't require starter mods.

[fordcragar]

Originally Posted by Lanny

I've been running my 6 volt starter on 12 volts (with NO modifications)
for quite a few years, and have not had any problems.

Me too. In fact, I think by the time the starter realizes it was subjected to 12V, the engine has already started.

[Ronnie]

Found this info years ago



BUILDING A 12-VOLT STARTER
For all you with flatheads , here is how to build a 12-volt starter.

Take your flathead starter apart. Keep the long through-bolts and end plate with the armature and bendix. This would be a
good time to turn the armature. Never under-cut the copper bars or armature. Use the starter from 332, 352, 360, 390 or 406 c.i. Ford FE engines as the conversion starter. Disassemble the FE starter. Keep the end plate with brushes and case with field coils. Check the bushing in the end plate and replace if necessary. I have checked the wire size and number of windings on the FE and flathead armatures and they are the same.

This is also a good time to install new brushes. Install the flathead armature into the FE case. Install the FE end plate with brushes. Put long through-bolts in starter.

You now have a flathead starter capable of cranking an engine of 300 to 400 c.i. up to 11 to 1 compression ratio. The finished starter looks like the flathead starter and you did it yourself.

For the diehards who want the original 6-volt system: when rebuilding the flathead starter, use a lathe to turn twenty thousandth (.020” )off the steel part of the armature. This will allow the starter to spin faster.


Ronnie

[Henry/Kokomo]

Please pardon the stupidity but what is a "Ford FE Engine"? I'm familiar with the various displacement engines listed but the "FE" threw me. Thanks in advance.

[37fatfender]

Ford Big Block........FE = iron.

[Henry/Kokomo]

Never thought to look in the Periodic Table for an answer! Many thanks.

[Flat Ernie]

I run all my 6V starters on 12V and use the 'barrel' bendix drive - never a problem. Only broke a spring bolt once - then switched to the barrel drive.

[Bruce Lancaster]

Actually, FE stood for Ford-Edsel, the lines that used the first engines 332-352-361 of this family in 1958. The other new engine line introduced in '58 was labeled MEL, Merc-Edsel-Lincoln, the original recipients of the family that included the 430 Lincoln.
The FE grew into the 427 and 428 series late in its life and the MEL's grew to a max of 462 in Lincolns...absolutely no relation to the 460 engines. The designations broke down pretty quickly as both series wound up in other FoMoCo lines as well.

[2002p51]

Originally Posted by john hamilton

Even changing from 6v positive ground to 12v negative ground doesn't require starter mods.

Really? Doesn't the reversed polarity make the starter run backwards?

[Da Tinman]

Originally Posted by 2002p51

Really? Doesn't the reversed polarity make the starter run backwards?

permanant magnet motors will only turn one way no matter which way the voltage flows.

[joe plumber]

Interesting posts on starters ,I learned something and the day is not even over with .

[blucar]

I think the FE designation for Ford engines covers the majority of the big block engines, e.g. 352, 333, 360, 390, 427-428 engines. The engines with the massive intake manifold and round bell housing, in lieu of peaked bell housing, which the small blocks, 289, 305, 351W, 460 and the 240-300 cid six cylinder engines have.
The 460 V8 is considered to be a FE style of engine because of the huge intake manifold, however, it will not switch into a vehicle that had a 352/390 because of the bell housing pattern.
The FE engines will bolt right into a vehicle that came equipped with a Y block if you have the proper Ford bell housing and front motor mount. The Y block was the standard engine in many Fords in '63-64 with the 352 as an option.. Finding one of the FE/Y block bell housings could be very difficult now.

[Flat Ernie]

Originally Posted by blucar

The 460 V8 is considered to be a FE style of engine because of the huge intake manifold, however, it will not switch into a vehicle that had a 352/390 because of the bell housing pattern.

The 460 (and 429) are 385 "Lima" engines, not FEs. The FE is really only those earlier ones you listed.

The 429/460 share many design characteristics with 351M/400 as well.

[Ol' Ron]

Thanks Ronnie, I needed that.

[gmc1941]

I've ran a 6volt on my Model A's with a 12 volt system. Cranks a little faster. Changed the bendix withe the modern style and eliminates any possiblity of the spring ever braking. Al little difference in the sound when it engages. Best thing I ever done. Except when I UPGRADED to the flatty THAT WAS EVEN BETTER.

[franksford]

If you havn't found the answer yet email or call me i may be able to help. Frank (616) 874-1224

[butchbov]

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Ronnie, Does the starter have to be from an FE motor or can you use a MEL starter too?

[Teich]

Ran my 6 volt starter on 12v. for two years,thought i was home free then it broke! changed it to 12v.now works good touch wood. just got a 12 v starter that looked the same, used the 12v barrel only the rest was all 6 v parts of the 48 starter works very good. I think it was a 292 or a six cyl,starter. Laurie

[Mart]

A permanent magnet motor will run backwards if you change the polarity of the wires.
because the starter motor has wound fields instead of permanent magnets, it will run in the same direction if you reverse the feed.
This is because in effect you reverse it twice - once in the armature and once in the fields - two wrongs making a right if you like.

Interesting point re using fe starters as donors - I'll keep my eyes open for one.

Mart.

[Ronnie]

Butchbov

Not sure would have to compare the two.
Someone here will chime in on that one.

Ronnie