wiring needed for a quick start 51 Flat in a 39 pickup
 

Hey guys
I just put a 1951 Flathead in my 39 1/2 ton. The original wiring is toast and there is no battery. I will do the wiring later but I need to be certain this motor is good. Turns over freely and has an old rebuild tag. looks clean inside looking in from the fuel pump hole. but that doesnt mean its all good.

What is the simplest way to wire up the 51 to run? I guess as if it was on a run stand. Would a 12V battery roast that starter? and coil? do i get a 6V battery?

Thanks!

Re: wiring needed for a quick start 51 Flat in a 39 pickup
 

12 volt battery. 12 volt internal resistance coil. Plastic boat fuel tank and a 12 volt electronic fuel pump. Disconnect all the other wiring. Wire it direct with a universal ignition switch and a 12 volt solenoid and you're off to the races. Your 6 volt starter will be fine.

Re: wiring needed for a quick start 51 Flat in a 39 pickup
 

Thank you!

Re: wiring needed for a quick start 51 Flat in a 39 pickup
 

Or use a ballast resistor with a 6v coil. You need an on/off switch to the coil, 3 ohm (referred to as a 12v) or a 1.5 ohm (referred to as a 6v) with a ballast resistor, and if using an original style starter solenoid, a wire from the center terminal that you can touch to ground to turn over the starter. The starter will hit a lot harder on 12v, but it will work fine. On the coils, all of this is assuming a "can" style coil, not an original Ford type of coil.

Re: wiring needed for a quick start 51 Flat in a 39 pickup
 

Ok The old 6v solenoid is there. The coil is a typical cylinder type like all through the 70's and 80's but it is crumbling. I have a MSD coil 12v may blow the cap off lol.

Re: wiring needed for a quick start 51 Flat in a 39 pickup
 

I would go with a new coil based on your final objective. If 12v then a 3.0 is easiest. If 6v then 1.5.

Re: wiring needed for a quick start 51 Flat in a 39 pickup
 

Some old style solenoids have a crank over button on the bottom. It will be a spring loaded rounded button. Just press it upward.

Re: wiring needed for a quick start 51 Flat in a 39 pickup
 

Regarding 'simplest way to wire'... I saw this thing running around a few days ago. It stopped at a parts store that I was at. It has a Ford radiator shell, so I'm sure it's ok to show it here. Talk about minimal wiring, this kid had a battery laying loose on the floor, next to where he sat. Cables to ground and the starter. One wire for the ignition, and one loose wire laying next to the battery (which he touched to the battery to operate the starter). I don't think you could get much simpler that this. And, this is the way he was driving it.