MTFCA Forum

Howdy, I am planning to swap the original engine & transmission in my '11 touring for a later engine/tranny with a starter for driving duties. The 11 will get tucked away for safe keeping and future rebuild. The newer engine is in a running driving car now and has a starter motor. However, the starter motor does not come with the engine - it is needed elsewhere.

I run a 12 volt lawnmower battery in my car which works well. I know zip about model T starters. Do they come in 12 volt models? Or only 6 volts? Aside from the starter hogs head, which this engine has, are any other bits and pieces needed for this installation? What works for a starter switch that can be hidden? I want to keep this as simple as possible, but would like it to be reliable and properly done.

Thanks in advance for your experienced advice! Cheers, Bill

6 volt is best, using 1 volt risk damage to the Bendix and ring gear, get a tall tool box for the running board and mount it and put the 6 or 8 volt battery in the box, you will have to notch the firewall also for the starter, Bob
we sell rebuilt starters here at the shop also rebuilt bendix

Bill: Here is one way, I have no affiliation with the company and offer no endorsement of this product. jb
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/Prod ... -t/starter

T-5099-12 12-VOLT STARTER
T-5099-12 fits 19-27

A 12-volt gear reduced starter for your model T. Eliminates the excessive force applied to the factory ring gear when using the factory 6-volt starter on 12-volts. Starter has a built in solenoid.

$439.95 EA

Bill,
Does your new engine have a generator? If so, you're limited to six volts unless you upgrade the generator too. There are many factors to consider when upgrading a car to a starter that never had one. I'm going thru the same thing with my 1917. I suggest you google things like "Model T Starter" "Installing Starter in Model T Ford" "Model T Ford Starter Problems", etc. By using google, you'll search all years of the forum as well as other sources out there. Here is a link to a recent thread on the "Ford Barn". https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261266

Good luck!

The generator will put out whatever voltage the voltage regulator is set to. A 12V regulator will turn a T generator into a 12V generator. That said, there is nothing wrong with 6V systems, and the starter is designed for 6V. A 12V battery on a 6V starter is abusive to the starter/bendix/ring gear.

Godd luck with the swap

No experience in using a lawn mower battery, but my thoughts would be that it might be fine for powering the coils or a small starter like the lawn mower would have, it might not have enough cranking amps for a T starter 6 or 12 volt. Depending at what speeds you drive and how you drive the 6 volt battery might be fine to start and run the coils. If you are not going to use a generator, you could setup to use a 6 volt for starting and small 12 volt for coils again a lot depends on your driving habits. Of course the replacement engine might have a good working magneto and the 6/12 would be moot as you might only need the battery for starting in which case I would stick with 6.

I would stick with a 6 volt Optima battery, on its side, under the back seat. That way there is nothing showing to detract from the appearance of an early car. The cables still need to be the usual heavy units used in 6 volt systems. If the starter is wired up through a solenoid switch, this too can be well hidden. If you can use the generator to charge the battery, all the better, but an Optima battery will handle daily use of the starter, allowing for overnight re-charging.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

I got a regular 6v car/tractor battery from NAPA when I upgraded to a starter. The way that I look at it, if the tractor battery dies, I can put it in there to keep me going. I really only installed the starter for people that shouldn’t try to hand crank anyways.

I agree if you have a 6 vdc system stick with it. My 26 Roadster came with a 12 vdc system and 6 volt starter. I’ve been running it for many years with no problem. Same bendix.

Thanks to all for the suggestions! If I use a 6 volt battery for the starter motor and run a separate circuit to the coils, will 6 volts operate them well enough to fire the plugs?

My 14 has a later motor with a 12 volt starter. You need a full sized battery. You need a generator or alternator. You can buy external alternators that run via a V-belt You can use either a six volt starter which will die or a T starter modified for 12volts or a geared starter. I run the modified. You only need regular cables, 2 gauge.
There are some interesting problems with the installation when you end up with two bolt heads touching, the firewall support and upper outside starter mounting screw. Also installing the nuts under the firewall support bracket is fun, I ended up welding nuts under the top rail of the chassis. It works well and is invisible.
To me it is a great addition, the 14 looks like a brass car but is easy to drive and start

Agree with Tony except you can install a resistor block to reduce the voltage to about 8V to the starter. Easy to buy at most any NAPA store. Have run 12V with an stock T starter with zero issues. I do change out the original generator to a modern. In 30+ years never an issue with the Hendrix.

Jimi would be pleased to hear that! LOL Sorry could not let that pass by.