Starter motor on 12 volts.

[Henry Hopper]

My 40 coupe has 12 volts and the original 6 volt starter..it works a treat, but I'm wondering if I should be aware of any potential issues.I would like to sort any problems before they arise and leave me bump starting it out on the road somewhere.Will the starter motor need upgrading or replacing, if so what's the plan?

Thank you .

[51 MERC-CT]

Been running my 6 volt starter on 12 volts for over 15 years no issues.
There have probably been as many problems when running on 6 volts as there ever were on 12 volts.

[chuck stevens]

You might want to have a starter drive spring on hand, I have broken a few with 12 volts. Easy fix, and everything else is ok.

[34PKUP]

Originally Posted by chuck stevens

You might want to have a starter drive spring on hand, I have broken a few with 12 volts. Easy fix, and everything else is ok.

Have never broken one in the last 10 years on 12 volts but over the past years have broken a few on 6 volts

[Henry Hopper]

Thanks fellas.....

[V8 Bob]

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Having the starter converted/rebuilt to 12 volts will minimize ring gear wear and Bendix spring failure, along with slowing starter rpm to sound like a V8 flathead should, IMO.

[Shadetree]

The thing I notice most on my F1 are the quick starts even after having set for awhile. The starter is used less therefore should compensate in part for the higher voltage.

[dean333]

Nothing like the sound of a Flattie starter....was watching an old movie on TCM last week, heard a Flattie starter off camera...next scene up drives a 40 Woodie

[Henry Hopper]

I agree the sound is special..but the quick zap of the 12 volts through the starter and easy starting more than compensate....previous cars Ive had always had me wondering if it was going to fire on 6 volts.