The Ford Barn

nellis003 · 05-30-2013, 01:41 PM

Hi all,

Quick one: will any 6v starter relay work in a stock '51 Merc, or is there a certain kind? I put a new 6v relay in but now the starter button isn't working. I can get the starter to fire if I jump from the neg terminal to the starter button terminal.

Thanks,
Nick

woodypecker · 05-30-2013, 02:20 PM

The original relay was activated when the starter button grounds the activation coil. There are many relays out there that require 6 volts to activate and that is probably what you have.

Mike51Merc · 05-30-2013, 07:35 PM

You need one that is triggered by grounding. And remember to install it rightside up, because it won't work upside down. Seriously.

tdlmomowers · 05-30-2013, 09:29 PM

There are several different kinds of relays, or solenoids available. Some are grounded base and some are insulated base. Some have 2 large terminals and 2 small terminals, and some have 2 large terminals and 1 small terminals. I don't know what your car was equipped with when new, but just be careful of which one you get.

rotorwrench · 05-31-2013, 08:44 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The NAPA web-site will steer you to the correct Echlin relay for a 51 Merc. Or should I say, it did the last time I bought one for my 51.

05-30-2013, 01:41 PM	#1
nellis003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 153	51 Merc Starter Relay Hi all, Quick one: will any 6v starter relay work in a stock '51 Merc, or is there a certain kind? I put a new 6v relay in but now the starter button isn't working. I can get the starter to fire if I jump from the neg terminal to the starter button terminal. Thanks, Nick

05-30-2013, 02:20 PM	#2
woodypecker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clarkston, Michigan Posts: 239	Re: 51 Merc Starter Relay The original relay was activated when the starter button grounds the activation coil. There are many relays out there that require 6 volts to activate and that is probably what you have.

05-30-2013, 07:35 PM	#3
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: 51 Merc Starter Relay You need one that is triggered by grounding. And remember to install it rightside up, because it won't work upside down. Seriously.

05-30-2013, 09:29 PM	#4
tdlmomowers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 409	Re: 51 Merc Starter Relay There are several different kinds of relays, or solenoids available. Some are grounded base and some are insulated base. Some have 2 large terminals and 2 small terminals, and some have 2 large terminals and 1 small terminals. I don't know what your car was equipped with when new, but just be careful of which one you get.

05-31-2013, 08:44 AM	#5
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: 51 Merc Starter Relay Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The NAPA web-site will steer you to the correct Echlin relay for a 51 Merc. Or should I say, it did the last time I bought one for my 51.