so the issue of the T starter on 12 volts seems to be of the fact it is hard on the bendix drive. It also seems that one solution is to run a giant length of cable to create a voltage drop. Or the starter can be "converted" to 12 volts---which is beyond my scope of understanding. So doing a quick brainstorming, why not just use a small modern 12V starter and whip up an adapter plate?
Yes, I know it would not be original as far as looks--black paint hides a lot of things though. Seems it might solve some issues that those wishing to run 12 volts could somewhat easily over come. The biggest issues I see is finding one that fits in the space, and has a pinion tooth that hopefully will match right up. Am I maybe on to something here?.....
By the way, just to set the record straight , I am a wood coil / 6 volt proponent, my '25 T has that set up, works great. But I am also building a tractor --a total hodge podge of parts, that is based on 12 volt---just because I can.
Done commercially already.
https://www.facebook.com/LDbeckerautoelectric
An individual has made 12 volt starters...not sure if he still does. More information here:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/411944/431629.html?1395510005
Chad I have converted 2 starters to 12 volts and its not that hard ,if you have time, The second one was faster ,.I did it the this way [see pix]
Just don't know y they don't make 12 volt wyndings that just drop in
Lorenzo
Becker's prices seem reasonable. Anybody tried one?
12-volt, Model T starters can be ordered from Mac's.
Here's the page:
http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_model_t/model-t-ford-starter-motor-12-volt-mod ern-remanufactured-delco-remy-starter.html
Lorenzo - I don't mind you using my drawing but if you're going to redisplay it, you also should include the notes and comments included to make the conversion successful for long term use.
Thanks
Just a word of caution.
I have seen four of these.
Caveat Emptor.
Ron the Coilman
Ken, sorry I don't know where i got it
Sorry For the using your drawing without your notes
Lorenzo
Ron - That can only happen from a faulty casting and/or dropped starter or a kick-back. Were the shafts straight? Does it still have the Babbitt bearing?
That looks like it happened while the Bendix was installed so it was probably a kick-back. That will happen on 6v starters too. That extra crack is suspicious.
I assumed your were associating that damage with a 12v starter. ???
Our club president has run one of Becker's 12 volt starters for several years with no problem.
Ken
I first heard of this problem two years ago from a fellow in Sweden and have seen three more since.
I attribute the damage to a kickback resulting from starting the engine with the spark lever advanced. I also believe cast Aluminum was a poor choice for reproducing this part. This conversion is a 12 volt GM starter motor modified to fit a Model T.
As you know the original cast iron starter mounting bracket has similar problems, but I have never actually seen one of them broken, only bent.
Ron the Coilman
Is the Mac's starter one produced by Darryl Becker or someone else? Darryl's price is $165. As for cast aluminum, there are different alloys with different properties. A good aluminum casting should have better properties than the original grey iron . The ideal material would be a ductile iron casting. And again there are good castings and poor castings in either material .
I have been running a Becker 12v starter for three years without any problems.
I bought the Becker Electric Starter and it works just fine. Thing is the car free-starts itself 80% of the time, and takes less than a quarter turn of the crank when it doesn't, so I maybe didn't need it?
Regards,
Scott
OK, I see where several modified T starters were offered. I guess my question and idea was along the lines of taking a smaller modern starter---like a nippendenso and making a bracket for it to bolt to. But I just realized a big flaw in my idea. A modern starter only has a short shaft and thus the pinion gear would never reach the flywheel. I was trying to think up something that was cheap and off the shelf to bolt to a adapter plate Vs. modifying a starter itself to fit.
I guess if I do add a starter at some point, i'll just get a modified T starter.
(Message edited by Chad Marchees on November 19, 2014)
Chad
I also wondered if a new starter for an 8N Ford tractor could be fitted with a new end plate. Depending on the pitch of the teeth and how far the Bendix moves it may be possible to use the Bendix as well. It would be worth looking into.
Gary, I would have to look into that I guess. Just seems to me if you start right off with a starter designed for 12v, it would/might solve some issues.
Chad -- It's not a big deal to re-wire a Model T starter for 12-v. If you're not comfortable with doing it yourself, send it to someone who does it all the time. That'll be way less involved than trying to re-invent the wheel.