I read somewhere that converting a 6v starter is a simple matter of replacing the solenoid with a Holden gray motor one?
true or false?
thanks
Andy

Well I haven't heard that one...
but the starter motor would still be a 6 volt...
the 6 volt starter has different teeth to the 12 volt ones,
same with the ring gear on the flywheel....
The 6v solenoid and starter will work OK on 12 volts if Your engine starts easily.. and can last for a long time...
otherwise its change the flywheel, which is larger, and the housing has to be ground out to fit the larger flywheel...
the starter motor bush in the housing to be changed.....
its much easier to use a 6v starter and collect a spare ...
as most people do.. if You have a spare , You probably won't have to use it...

Lee

Yeah,
I wasn't keen on grinding out the bell housing.
Its a 36 horse motor too ( don't know about interchangability of later flywheels)
I heard the solenoid was the main weak link in the 12V conversion; starter motor is OK.
thanks Lee
anyone else with an opinion?

Andy

from our experience (mine and my brothers) the 6V starters will work fine connected to 12V - no mods required - heaps easier than changing flywheels and grinding bell housings.

The engine will turn over really fast (as you would expect), making it an almost instant start. It will cause the starter to wear out faster, but you should still get heaps of life out of a good 6V starter - just remember not to hold the key in the on position for any length of time (if the engine doesn't start straight away) as the starter will become hot quite quickly. Also means that you can still turn over an engine fast enough to start it on a half flat 12v battery!

So far we have used this set-up on 4 of our cars with no problems (some of them have now been converted to 12V starters - not due to problems with the 6V starter but due to type IV conversions - 6V flywheels not available for Type IV's!). My Baja will be set up like this as soon as I get off this forum and back into the garage!

R

Yes you are correct-just change the solenoid to an early 12volt one-stops the bendix flying into the flywheel at twice the required speed.The 6volt starter then on 12 will give good cranking speed and minimal ring gear engagement problems.I have recently been involved with a 12volt conversion on a 356 Porsche and that is what we did to the starter and had the generator rewound(I think thats what the Auto Elec did)and used a 12volt regulator.Works good and the only downside is output is low at idle but more than enough above idle.The system would probably be suspect if you tried to run big current draw accessories for long periods.

Why bother ... just pump 12 Volts through the 6V starter....

I have had mine on the street car ORANGE Smoothie going for 3 years now without any probs....


What are you frightened off??? trying to find another 6V starter ???

I dont believe that what you have suggest about is true,,,, Carnt recall anyone doing this before BUT who knows ???

thanks everyone, its all much clearer now