8BA starter questions

S

Scott52

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


[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211141&highlight=convert+starter+12v[/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]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
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Scott52 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top