8BA starter questions

[Scott52]

I am planning to convert my starter to 12V using the thread


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211141&highlight=convert+starter+ 12v



I am not familiar with the bendix type starters and wanted to check the operation of my 6V starter first. I see what is supposed to happen. The gear is actually past the flywheel then pulls back to engage the flywheel. I used a 6V battery and jumper cables to turn on the 6 Volt starter and it didn't turn very fast and the gear didn't come back much. This starter was on the engine and this is the first time I have energized it. I looked at a couple of you tube videos and one the gear snapped back pretty aggressively and in another it hardly moved at all. Comments please. Thanks

[19Fordy]

The Bendix should rapidly "snap back" and engage the flywheel.
Then when the engine starts, the Bendix is thrown back and disengages from the flywheel.
A battery charger should be enough to provide the needed voltage.

[Kurt in NJ]

what size is the wire in the jumper cables, most cables have wire that is too thin for 6V

[19Fordy]

Kurt, I don't recall the specific cable size but I used a 12 V battery jump box to test the operation of my 6V and 12V starters when they were out of the car. You can see it in the last photo of your #1 posting. 12V won't harm a 6V starter.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=batter...ANAB01&PC=HCTS

[Scott52]

I have a 48 Power Wagon with a 12 Volts system. I will remove the battery and check the starter with 0 or 1 gauge cables and report back. I don't want to transfer a problem from the 6 volt armature into the new 12 volt starter case. I do plan to let the local Generator Starter do the switch because I like to give them business (we all know about these shops disappearing), gives me a bit more confidence. And they have tested generators and voltage regulators for me for free over the years. The owner passed away a few years ago and his kids had no interest so one of his long time employees bought it.

[19Fordy]

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Scott: It's great that you are supporting your local business. It's well worth it as they are disappearing faster than you can blink.

[Scott52]

Spun starter with correct size cables, ground bolted directly to starter case and it spun great.

[19Fordy]

X-e-lent!!!

[Pete]

You might check the price of a gear drive starter against the cost of converting a stock one to 12v. The gear drive ones are far superior in operation.

[Scott52]

Not sure what to look for. Anyone have more info?

[51504bat]

My '39 p/u with an 8ba is converted to 12 volts. It initially installed a Powermaster 12 volt starter that was similar to an original starter. It wasn't a gear reduction type. It turned about to be a real POS. It was repaired once during the warranty period and then finally self destructed internally. I replaced it with a new 12 volt unit from Joe's but I had him supply it with the original style Bendix rather than the newer enclosed style. The enclosed style is a PITA to install and some installations require some grinding of the bell housing to fit. The new starter from Joe's works like a champ and has been doing so for over a year.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Scott52

Not sure what to look for. Anyone have more info?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20135804920...Bk9SR-qgqLrdYQ

[Brian King]

Why bother converting stock 6v starters to 12v? I run 12v through mine every time I start them and they last just fine. Heck, we even ran 24v through them in a racing application and they handled it.

[Scott52]

I don't like the slamming effect. Cold be just me but I have used the 12 volts on my 6V power wagon but that has a foot peddle that engages the starter gear to the flywheel so the slamming is minimized.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Scott52

I don't like the slamming effect. Cold be just me but I have used the 12 volts on my 6V power wagon but that has a foot peddle that engages the starter gear to the flywheel so the slamming is minimized.

I agree that my 6V starter running on 12V does hit hard. I tend to notice it more when the car hasn't been started in a while. Otherwise, when warm or run recently, it only take 1/2 a turn or so to bring the motor to life.