Building a 12 volt starter

[Ed Pitts]

Last year Ronnie posted the following information on how to build a 12 volt starter. Here are some pics of the two starters: 6 volt for my 36 and a 12 volt from a 60's 390 cu. in. Ford. The case, back plate and the armature all have the same dimensions for both, so it will be a simple switch described below to convert my 6 volt starter to a 12 volt. The 12 volt case has red inside it.
Thanks Ronnie. Ed

"Found this info years ago

BUILDING A 12-VOLT STARTER
For all you with flatheads , here is how to build a 12-volt starter.

Take your flathead starter apart. Keep the long through-bolts and end plate with the armature and bendix. This would be a
good time to turn the armature. Never under-cut the copper bars or armature. Use the starter from 332, 352, 360, 390 or 406 c.i. Ford FE engines as the conversion starter. Disassemble the FE starter. Keep the end plate with brushes and case with field coils. Check the bushing in the end plate and replace if necessary. I have checked the wire size and number of windings on the FE and flathead armatures and they are the same.

This is also a good time to install new brushes. Install the flathead armature into the FE case. Install the FE end plate with brushes. Put long through-bolts in starter.

You now have a flathead starter capable of cranking an engine of 300 to 400 c.i. up to 11 to 1 compression ratio. The finished starter looks like the flathead starter and you did it yourself.

For the diehards who want the original 6-volt system: when rebuilding the flathead starter, use a lathe to turn twenty thousandth (.020” )off the steel part of the armature. This will allow the starter to spin faster.


Ronnie "