Starter interchange/update

[kencombs]

Not a pilot house era truck, but it is a flat six. 1956. I think it was originally a 12v truck, but the wiring is a mess so I can't be sure. It is 12v now, alternator from an Asian vehicle, 12v battery in original location and it seems to fit OK.

Still has the floor starter and I want to go to a key start, not stomp start.

My question is: What starters will work in this application? I will be redoing all the wiring anyway so changing the switch and adding the relay, etc is not an issue. I just need to know what starter(s) will fit the engine and flywheel teeth.

Also, since I won't have the correct core, parts store rebuilds are out of the question, so does anyone have a good used one for sale?

[grey beard]

Ken,

What you need is a starter from any MoPar automobile. To my best knowledge, all the cars used a relay instead of stomp start, and then had a honkin' big chrome starter button on the dash. Your problem will be to find a 12-volt configuration. The only application I know of would be the very last few years of flathead sixes used in cars during the middle to late fifties.

Of course we both know that a 6-volt starter will work just fine on 12 volts. Just bangs into the flywheel a skotch harder, but with everything else healthy, it will last for many years. Actually, the two starters - the one you have and the one you want - are identical except for the post for the relay instead of the top mounted switch. Most rebuilders wouldn't blink at the difference. In point of fact, more starters were made for cars than for trucks, so your old core may have more value than the car type. JMHO

Good Luck

[kencombs]

I will take a run to my local parts place and order one.

[Jim Yergin]

To my best knowledge, all the cars used a relay instead of stomp start, and then had a honkin' big chrome starter button on the dash.

Dave,

Just to set the record straight, my '41 P12 has a foot pedal operated starter. I don't know when the cars went to the relay, maybe '42?

Jim Yergin

[oldmopar]

In 56 there was a change in the In the fly wheel as I recall there is a different tooth count. So be sure you check the number on you starter to be sure you are using the correct one.

[grey beard]

Now that is good information to know. In all the years I've followed this forum, I've never come across this info. Is it verifiable? Anyone ever encounteded problems with flywheel teeth during starter swaps?

Thanks for the info.

On a similar note, local wisdom on this forum sez that 8-hole crank flanges are on 230 cid motors. I have a spare engine that is a 218, based on the block numbers and the rod numbers, yet it has an 8-hole crank that I personally took the fluid drive convertor off of, myself.

My question is, if one should use this 8-hole crank with a standard trans and clutch, what would be required in the pilot bushing part of this scheme? Can anyone who has done these swaps shed any light on this issue?

Thanis

[Merle Coggins]

My question is, if one should use this 8-hole crank with a standard trans and clutch, what would be required in the pilot bushing part of this scheme? Can anyone who has done these swaps shed any light on this issue?

Thanis

Does this crank have the provision for a pilot bushing? The Fluid Drive unit doesn't need a pilot bushing to attach to the crankshaft. I have that same crank arrangement in my truck, since I also have Fluid Drive, but I don't remember looking at that area much. And I don't have any pictures of the crank flange for reference.

Merle

[Reg Evans]

Dave,

Just to set the record straight, my '41 P12 has a foot pedal operated starter. I don't know when the cars went to the relay, maybe '42?

Jim Yergin

My 42 Dodge coupe also has the stomp start.

[Jim Yergin]

Now that is good information to know. In all the years I've followed this forum, I've never come across this info. Is it verifiable? Anyone ever encounteded problems with flywheel teeth during starter swaps?

Thanks for the info.

On a similar note, local wisdom on this forum sez that 8-hole crank flanges are on 230 cid motors. I have a spare engine that is a 218, based on the block numbers and the rod numbers, yet it has an 8-hole crank that I personally took the fluid drive convertor off of, myself.

My question is, if one should use this 8-hole crank with a standard trans and clutch, what would be required in the pilot bushing part of this scheme? Can anyone who has done these swaps shed any light on this issue?

Thanis

Dave,

I used a crank and rods from a Dodge 230 in my Plymouth engine with a standard transmission and clutch. The Dodge had fluid drive and there was no pilot bushing. The opening in the end of the crank was too small to accept the pilot bushing. I didn't discover that until I had assembled the engine so I didn't have the ability to have the opening machined to open it up. Instead, I put the pilot bushing on my drill press and used a file to reduce the diameter of the pilot bushing to fit the opening. After a 1000 miles it is still working.

I also used a flywheel from a late '50's plymouth. It only had 6 bolt holes. The ring gear was different and I swapped it out with an earlier version to make it work.

Jim Yergin

[Don Coatney]

My question is, if one should use this 8-hole crank with a standard trans and

clutch, what would be required in the pilot bushing part of this scheme? Can

anyone who has done these swaps shed any light on this issue?

Thanis

I elected to fabricate a bracket and use a pilot bearing instead of installing a

bushing in the end of the crahnshaft. I used a 4 bolt Plymouth flywheel,

an 8 bolt Desoto fluid drive crankshaft, and a T-5 transmission.