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05-24-2022, 08:38 AM | #1 |
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Altenator/Starter Issue
A friend has been restoring a T fire engine, which he has converted to an A frame and block. I assisted in the conversion of the wiring. Started up and ran like a charm. Because of the electrical power demands that he has since added, he has installed a Powermaster alternator and a 12 volt coil. He was told that that these are plug an' play installations, and that he should still be okay with the 6 volt starter.
When starting the engine recently, his foot slipped off the starter pedal twice. The starter evidently locked up, and he had a bear of a job removing the starter from the vehicle. (Locked up on flywheel, perhaps?). My question: is a 6 volt starter compatible with a 12 volt electrical system? |
05-24-2022, 09:16 AM | #2 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
Not really. It should be rewired for 12V. That being said many have used 6V starters in 12V systems for years.
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05-24-2022, 09:41 AM | #3 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
IF you continue to used the 6 volt starter I recommend installing a modern starter drive. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...6183&cat=41746
Best would be to convert your starter to 12v AND install a modern starter drive. 12v field coils are available. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...d=976153&cat=0
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05-24-2022, 01:40 PM | #4 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
You should follow Ruth's second suggestion.
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05-24-2022, 02:02 PM | #5 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
Agree with posts #2 .
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05-25-2022, 11:15 AM | #6 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
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Again, thanks for the responses! |
05-25-2022, 11:51 AM | #7 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
I will be the contrary one then. I run a 6 volt starter, with a 12 volt system and alternator, on my speedster with a 7:1 head. Also using the original starter bendix. I have 9,000 some miles on it, so obviously a lot of starts in that 9,000 and have not had a starter issue. I am not guessing or assuming anything, this has been my experience.
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05-25-2022, 02:17 PM | #8 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
I’m with 31 Tudor… 6v A starter handles 12v no problem, second Ruth on the modern Bendix, it’s cushioned, doesn’t bang like the stock Bendix. Been running that combination on a modified A engine,7.5 to 1 Winfield red head for a few years.
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05-25-2022, 03:47 PM | #9 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
From what I have read/watched some say you don't need to bother. Another guy I watched this morning had examples of broken starters and a ford service bulletin from 1955. He was adamant that they be a 12 volt starter.
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05-25-2022, 04:00 PM | #10 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
I had 3 cars come into my shop with the starter ring off or coming off the flywheel (one was my car). All were running 12volt systems on 6 volt starters.
Not sure if the 2 other cars had original starter rings installed. Mine had a new starter ring installed at rebuild and had 10K miles on it when it started to come off. Was lucky enough to catch it before it came completely off. A new style bendix is installed. Converted starter to 12 volts and have another 10/12K miles on it with no problems. Not saying it will happen to you...but..it can.
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05-25-2022, 06:36 PM | #11 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
I have seen too many starter motors running on 12 v without conversion with bent shafts. If you run a 6 v starter on 12 v you WILL bend the shaft eventually and dislodge the ring gear.
Also, I have thrown away every one of those modern drives I had. They don't engage the ring gear properly and ruin it in short time. IMO, running a starter on 12v with one of those drives is a recipe for disaster as MAG has found.
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05-25-2022, 07:24 PM | #12 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
It appears everyone has a little different experience. I have been running 12v for about twenty years. After distroying a couple of original starter drives I installed a modern drive about 15 years ago and have not had a problem since. About 5 years ago I rebrushed the starter and installed 12v field coils at the same time just because I felt it would be easier on the whole system.
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05-26-2022, 07:40 AM | #13 |
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Re: Altenator/Starter Issue
The 6-volt starter running on 12-volts gives it a pretty heavy duty increase in rpm over the normal voltage. These old motors have heavy flywheels and clutches that were designed to start at a lower rpm. The armature shaft isn't all that big a diameter and it's a long one so a bent shaft becomes a reality on 12-volts. A person has to remember to retard the spark for sure. A kickback at that rpm can be catastrophic.
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