Looking for a quality 6 Volt Starter

M

MattDeAmicis

Junior Member
Having some starter issues on my 46 Super Deluxe 59AB. Car cold starts no problem, but after driving the starter won't crank the engine until it cools down. Made in India special. Any suggestions on a quality Made in the USA 6 Volt starter?
 
First of all, in my opinion, nothing beats a good stock Ford starter on these engines. Second, a heads up on the NAPA starters. I bought one a couple of years ago and it was bad out of the box. Even though they have a tough return policy on electrical parts, they took it back and refunded my money, no question. This tells me they are aware of a problem, which bothers me even more than the bad starter. I would get one from Michael at Third Gen as suggested, although NAPA is probably OK
 
In my opinion, your best option is a quality rebuilt original Ford starter. I've seen the insides of a 6 volt starter made in China which sold for $275 - it was junk. Improper clearances, no regard to tolerances and it froze up after only a few uses.
I can recommend Steve Blancard in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He has a lot of videos on cutouts and generators for Model A and V8's. He specializes in generators which are very much like starters. He does amazingly good quality work and tests everything he rebuilds. His YouTube channel has lots of videos: https://www.youtube.com/@steveblancard5566/videos
 
In Oregon we use 'Truck/tractor electric in Albany, Or 541-928 -7451 Very OLD school and experienced. Newc
 
A short drive down the 5 and you are at Fullerton Diesel Electric. They did the starter on my 49. Excellent work, quick turnaround, and Doug the owner is a nice guy!

1889 W Commonwealth Ave Suite P,
Fullerton, CA 92833
Hours:
Opens 6 AM Mon
Phone: (714) 870-4702
 
Make sure you have large enough battery cables. I had the same problem with my '36, with a good Ford starter. Moved my battery closer to the engine and made bigger cables, problem solved.
 
New brushes, springs, and bearings and I bet that starter is as good as new. An original is the way to go IMO as others have said.

JB
 
1 gauge or larger cable is what 6-volt systems like for starter motors. Heat related problems can sometimes be an open in an armature winding. They will pass current until it expands from engine heat which opens the crack up. All it takes is one open winding to reduce the effectivity and torque of the motor assembly. Ford used the same basic design of starter from 1932 up into the 8BA era with a few variations. The automatic transmissions in 1951 had a special starter.

Solder joints on the fields can come loose and reduce power too. It all depends on the rebuilder and the parts they use as to how well they will function. Many times the fields just need to be rewrapped. If the field pole shoes aren't well seated then they can rub on the armature as they heat up and that will really slow them down. I have an old growler and i still use it now and then.
 
I'd check the battery and starter cables also. I just replaced mine through batterycablesusa.com with 00 gauge cables. With the 6v optima, it cranks strong hot or cold.
 
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