Installing new Starter field coils in starter housing
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2025 6:10 pm
I've had several folks ask about installing the new starter field coil kits with the post pre-installed. This is a little different from how you install the Wilson field coils since the post bolt is now pre-installed on the ones I'm making. Its actually a lot easier than installing the Wilson ones but would apply to those as well if you install the post bolt first.
So, Steve Tomaso and I came up with these instructions:
Step #1- Mold the field coils into a round form, loosely ready to insert into the housing. Affix the field coils into the starter housing first. Loosely, but firmly. You want to get the starter post positioned first. Install the fiber insulator washer, stainless washer, plastic insulator, stainless washer and finally a post nut - see pics below for the correct order. Tighten the post nut so it is just snug and keeps the post in place.
Step #2: Once the post is in place, slowly position each field holding the pole shoe from behind into position using a medium Phillips screw driver (or in my case a special tool I fabricated on my lathe) so you can bend the individual coil/pole shoe into position and then screw the large pole shoe bolts into the pole shoes. Make sure the poles are not mis-aligned and are all parallel to casing. If the pole shoes aren't aligned, the armature will not sit in the housing and turn without rubbing. This will become apparent later when everything rubs... re-read this paragraph & re-position the fields and pole shoes until nothing rubs.
Step #3: Position starter lead insulator (the triangular piece) behind the leads BEFORE tightening the pole shoe bolts.
Step #4: Tighten the pole shoe bolts with an impact wrench on minimal setting until they are just tight. Test fit into the housing – it should rotate freely without binding. If there is any binding, the pole shoes are not aligned properly and you'll need to start over.
See #2 above....
Now you can continue assembly of the starter....
So, Steve Tomaso and I came up with these instructions:
Step #1- Mold the field coils into a round form, loosely ready to insert into the housing. Affix the field coils into the starter housing first. Loosely, but firmly. You want to get the starter post positioned first. Install the fiber insulator washer, stainless washer, plastic insulator, stainless washer and finally a post nut - see pics below for the correct order. Tighten the post nut so it is just snug and keeps the post in place.
Step #2: Once the post is in place, slowly position each field holding the pole shoe from behind into position using a medium Phillips screw driver (or in my case a special tool I fabricated on my lathe) so you can bend the individual coil/pole shoe into position and then screw the large pole shoe bolts into the pole shoes. Make sure the poles are not mis-aligned and are all parallel to casing. If the pole shoes aren't aligned, the armature will not sit in the housing and turn without rubbing. This will become apparent later when everything rubs... re-read this paragraph & re-position the fields and pole shoes until nothing rubs.
Step #3: Position starter lead insulator (the triangular piece) behind the leads BEFORE tightening the pole shoe bolts.
Step #4: Tighten the pole shoe bolts with an impact wrench on minimal setting until they are just tight. Test fit into the housing – it should rotate freely without binding. If there is any binding, the pole shoes are not aligned properly and you'll need to start over.
See #2 above....
Now you can continue assembly of the starter....