8BA 12 V Starter?

[Scott52]

I have 1952 Ford converted to 12Volts. I have read that the 6 Volt starter will work with 12V, but the gear will slam into the flywheel harder. New to Fords. Is there such a thing as a 12V starter that fits the 8BA?

[Mr 42]

Yes:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...rt+starter+12v

[19Fordy]

If you do a search on Google or Fordbarn or HAMB you will find that the 6V starter will work for many years if you operate it on 12V. Yes there are 12V starters that will bolt up to your 8BA but, the best way to go is to convert your 6V starter to 12V. Mr. 42 already posted how it's done. If you decide to buy a 12V starter be sure to buy one that uses the OEM Bendix drive system.

[51504bat]

I'm using a 12 volt starter in my 8ba with the original type Bendix. I bought it from this vendor: https://www.qualitypowerauto.com
Their web site is a bit confusing about flathead starters not sure if the one listed is a high torque or stock type. But they do have or at least they used to have the stock type 12 volt ones. I'm happy with the starter I have from them. I have also bought several 12 volt 1 wire alternators and brackets for 8ba's from them. I'm sure there are other sources but these guys are just up the freeway from me so they are convenient and I try to shop local whenever possible. JMO

[Mr 42]

Just for the record, i have used 6V starter on 12V systemm for 30 years.
Two Bendix springs broken during all years, no other problem.
Yes i have a spring with don't take long time to swap out.

[51 MERC-CT]

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Originally Posted by Mr 42

Just for the record, i have used 6V starter on 12V systemm for 30 years.
Two Bendix springs broken during all years, no other problem.
Yes i have a spring with don't take long time to swap out.

And most likely just as many springs were broken on 6 volt systems in the same amount of time. ( can't blame that on 12 volts.)

[flathead48]

You can just change the coils to 12 volt and that will slow the spin and a lot of the slamming on the drive. Happy 4th to all

[4t8v8]

Used the coils from a 1956 - 1962 12V starter. Bolted in and has worked perfectly for many years. I did change to the new style "Bendix". No broken springs to deal with.

[Ronnie]

Removing screws that hold in the coils is easier said than done.



R

[1948F-1Pickup]

I didn't have much longevity with running the 6 volt starter on 12 volts.
About 3 years tops. Locked up the Bendix on me at the Costco gas pump....
(I'm guessing the truck was converted to 12 volt a few years before, so
maybe a total of 12 years of starter abuse before that failure, but I'm guessing)

I also have a 12 volt starter now from a vendor on eBay. Had it about 3 years and still working.

[4t8v8]

Hot wrench helps a bunch.

[Aarongriffey]

I converted my 1951 V8 F1to 12 volts twenty years ago.
I took the starter to a starter/generator shop and had them rebuild and convert it to 12 volts.
Have not touched the starter since.

[RalphG]

I used 12 volts a few times to start my 52 Mercury. The original six volt starter sounded just fine and turned a lot faster than the 6 volt battery ever cranked it. I did not hear anything that indicated a problem doing that but of course that is not a long term test.

[34PKUP]

Originally Posted by Aarongriffey

I converted my 1951 V8 F1to 12 volts twenty years ago.
I took the starter to a starter/generator shop and had them rebuild and convert it to 12 volts.
Have not touched the starter since.

That's wonderful. Over 30 years ago I converted my vehicle to 12 volts and never converted the starter.
Have not touched the starter since.

[Ol' Ron]

My truck got a flathead back in the early 90's. stock starter still works fine. Have a rebuild one in the tool box, that's never been used. Tomorrow it probably will.
Gramps

[Aarongriffey]

If the engine is well maintained and you run 12 volts to a 6 volt starter the thing will usually start so quilled that the starter doesn’t get much use. The extra speed the engine turns over seems to get it started with less time cranking it over.
On my F1 after it has set for a few days i just turn on the ignition after I pull the choke an inch so it doesn’t die right away after it stars and pump the accelerator twice to the floor and hit the starter button just for a split second and it fires right up immediately.
Of coarse I keep a fresh set of points installed. An electronic ignition conversion will give the same results.

[Paul Bennett]

I converted my starter to 12v by buying the later model starter and using the 6v armature. I haven't read all the posts above me (lazy) but surely the post with that conversion is mentioned. It was an easy job and rewarding as the modified starter had obviously better torque than running the original starter on 12v. You could really tell by the sound. Not only did I convert to 12v but it was needed for my new 283cu 200 hp stroked 4.125" flathead engine with 9:1 compression. The engine awaits me if I can just get the virus out of the way to pick it up. I'm still in lock down.

[Scott52]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will first test the starter to make sure it works and then use it once the engine is rebuilt.(no timetable yet). If it works I will probably just keep using it and get a 12 V starter at my leisure. My Power wagon is an original 6 V system and when I first rebuilt the engine, using a 12 volt battery on just the starter gave it that extra cranking speed and helped it start while working out the bugs and getting it tuned just right. The biggest issue was using as big of battery cables as possible, I think 00. You can hear the difference in spin rate going from 1 or 2 to 00. Now it starts right up with the 6V battery.

[JSeery]

I would suggest looking at the link in post #2, good information.