do i need a special starter solenoid for my 1941 deluxe?

[hueyhoolihan]

in general older cars electrical systems aren't polarity sensitive AFAIK, but some of the gauges may be. most often it's the voltage gauge or ammeter.

WRT the starter solenoid...i doubt whether the circuit that runs from the one big terminal to the other for the starter motor to work would be a problem, but the small, low voltage circuit that activates the electromagnet could be, as the windings on an electromagnet are wound in such a direction as to comply with the polarity of the electrical system in which it resides...i think.

but, superficially and part-number-wise, it looks like the black ford solenoids from the 30's and most of the 40's, and it's an ST53 and so i think that that's probably proof enough for now.

i've still to track down a few gremlins in the dash wiring. the starter button is acting up (i think it's a bad ground) and i've had the hot wire from the ignition switch to the fuel gauge smoke a couple of times, and fried the point that i've had to make a new one. i think that THAT is being caused by a loose bare wire that goes i know not where. and is being inadvertently grounded by me when rooting around behind the gauges from time to time. anyway, there's more work to do. ugh.

but you're right i could have got burned again with the wrong part...we'll see. thanks.

[slowforty]

Get a small hammer to whack the solenoid if it sticks