The Ford Barn

36fordguy · 01-31-2018, 02:52 PM

Got a question for the fordbarn group. I got a 36 pickup truck withan ECA 53 motor, when I
put the motor in I used the cast iron bell housing adapter from the truck application. My truck
was converted to 12v and I had a 12v starter with the late bendix spring setup. This worked
great with the 59A motor that I had in the truck. When I was putting the truck back together
the modern bendix spring setup would not fit past the cast iron bell housing and the flywheel.
So I dropped back to 6v starter with earl bendix spring setup.Now I'm having a through out
bearing bearing failure and need to pull the transmission. I have heard the pressed steel
bell housing adapter will accommodate the 12v starter and late model bendix spring setup.
Is this true ? 36fordguy

4t8v8 · 01-31-2018, 05:39 PM

FWIW. I found by leaving all the bolts out of the starter plate except one lower one the plate would move enough for clearance to install the later bendix assembly.

51504bat · 01-31-2018, 05:40 PM

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I had a '40 1 1/2 ton truck with an 8ba in it. It used the truck cast iron 1/2 bell. I was able to install a starter with the new Bendix but it was a pain if I remember correctly. I'm currently using the Merc stamped steel 1/2 bell with the 8ba in my '39 p/u but I'm using a 12 volt starter that has the original style Bendix so I really can't say if the Merc is any different in regards to the starter. Your 6 volt starter should work fine on 12 volts. I ran mine for quite a while with no issues and I know many others have done the same or you can buy a new 12 volt starter with an old style Bendix and not worry about changing bells. JMO.

01-31-2018, 02:52 PM	#1
36fordguy Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 73	Changing Adapters Got a question for the fordbarn group. I got a 36 pickup truck withan ECA 53 motor, when I put the motor in I used the cast iron bell housing adapter from the truck application. My truck was converted to 12v and I had a 12v starter with the late bendix spring setup. This worked great with the 59A motor that I had in the truck. When I was putting the truck back together the modern bendix spring setup would not fit past the cast iron bell housing and the flywheel. So I dropped back to 6v starter with earl bendix spring setup.Now I'm having a through out bearing bearing failure and need to pull the transmission. I have heard the pressed steel bell housing adapter will accommodate the 12v starter and late model bendix spring setup. Is this true ? 36fordguy

01-31-2018, 05:39 PM	#2
4t8v8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 524	Re: Changing Adapters FWIW. I found by leaving all the bolts out of the starter plate except one lower one the plate would move enough for clearance to install the later bendix assembly.

01-31-2018, 05:40 PM	#3
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,033	Re: Changing Adapters Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had a '40 1 1/2 ton truck with an 8ba in it. It used the truck cast iron 1/2 bell. I was able to install a starter with the new Bendix but it was a pain if I remember correctly. I'm currently using the Merc stamped steel 1/2 bell with the 8ba in my '39 p/u but I'm using a 12 volt starter that has the original style Bendix so I really can't say if the Merc is any different in regards to the starter. Your 6 volt starter should work fine on 12 volts. I ran mine for quite a while with no issues and I know many others have done the same or you can buy a new 12 volt starter with an old style Bendix and not worry about changing bells. JMO. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.