Upgrading a 1917 Engine To A 6 Volt Starter

[J1MGOLDEN]

Someone told me upgrading a 1917 Engine with a starter was an easy task.

A newer flywheel with a starter ring gear and a 119 or later transmission cover was all that was required.

The starter worked fine and turned the engine over very nicely.

Everything was going good until I attempted to add the Bendix cover and connect the clutch pedal to the high speed clutch lever.

That would not work!

What did I omit or miss?

[J1MGOLDEN]

That 119 is a 1919!

[DanTreace]

Early pedal without starter and Bendix has a straight arm, you will need to try to bend, but it will remain too short. The best, replace with later clutch pedal.

[Humblej]

Did you change out the mag ring for one with a starter notch?

[Wayne Sheldon]

Usually, when one gets the later hogshead for a starter? That hogshead comes with a clutch pedal that already has that offset. I am guessing that yours may not have had a pedal? It doesn't take much offset to work. Maybe a little torch and wrench work can make it work out? Flipping the link to the other side might help some? Depending on which way it is now?
You may also find that the clutch lever at the back of the hogshead will need to be bent a bit to line up with the new position of the clutch pedal and that the cam lever on the brake cross shaft will have to be bent some as well. All those pieces need to line up for linkages and contacts to work properly!

[speedytinc]

I used 14 pedals. The low pedal arm had to be bent. Not as much as the later pedals. Bent cold. No big deal. The clutch arm was probably bent also. Since later pedals have the same smooth face, I would replace the pedal if not included in the new HH.

[J1MGOLDEN]

Dan, that one photo is definitely worth a thousand words!

I compared my space with another early starter transmission cover and a non-starter transmission cover and everything looked the same.

Evidently, if you bought a 1917 or later Non-electric Model T, you got a transmission cover cast for the starter mounting with blank off plates and a different clutch pedal.

I had to change the magneto coil ring as it was a double that matched the early flywheel.

The arm that engages the high speed clutch also sticks out too far and would have to be heated cherry red and bent in about half an inch to line up with the proper connecting link.

I either need to find a correct transmission cover (now that I know what my problem is) or change both of those items, if I can find them.

[Wayne Sheldon]

If you want to keep the 1914 pedal for outward appearances? A slight bending of the arm should be adequate, without the angle shortening the throw too much. Others have done that with good results on brass era Ts. But, as I mentioned, you will likely have to tweak the whole bunch of pieces a bit to make them play nicely together. None of it is difficult to do. Just pay attention to all the various ramps, cams, and clevises lineing up properly to function smoothly, AND clear the Bendix cover.
Bending cold is often preferable with original model T parts due to the quality of the original steel (even cast steel!). However, sometimes, in order to get the sharpness of the bend in tight where it is needed? Heat is the only way to go.

[Oldav8tor]

Devil's advocate here.... for others contemplating adding a starter to a non-starter car, you might consider going 12 volts and installing a modern WOSP starter. The WOSP engages from the front and doesn't need the cup over the Bendix - you can close off the hole with a cover. Otherwise you just need a coil ring with a cutout, flywheel with ring gear and later hogshead cover.

I have such an installation on my 1917 and it works great. The battery is a small AGM under the back seat which is kept charged with a Regan "Hot Shot" magneto charger. Over the past 5000 miles it has never let me down or caused any issues at all, which I can't say for the six volt starter it replaced.

[speedytinc]

Did you change out the mag ring for one with a starter notch?

Not necessary to change. Just file/grind the small notch.

[J1MGOLDEN]

The Mag Coil was double.

I was not sure if the distance would allow the continued use of the old double coil with a new starter ring flywheel.

I have found another transmission cover with the correct brake pedal in my spare parts shed.