Need help identifying this electrical part

[Rjpond]

I’m in the process of bringing back a 1955 dodge truck C-3-C. I have lots to learn. I’m currently redoing the brakes and as I look forward to redoing the wiring, I need help identifying the part in the picture. It was mounted under the hood and onto the top of the fender well. Looking at wiring diagrams, I see nothing nothing resembling this part

thank you for any help

Scott

[Plymouthy Adams]

does this truck by chance have a dump bed

[Rjpond]

Thanks for replying , but the truck doesn’t have a dump bed, just the standard pickup bed

[Plymouthy Adams]

were you able to trace the heavier wires...one should connect to the starter or starter relay, the other end to the device this solenoid controls.....I admit the shunted connectors to the front connectors is baffling...

[Rjpond]

I will check it out tomorrow, I store the truck in a building where I work. You are thinking that this part isn’t original to the truck? 

Thanks

scott

[NiftyFifty]

Looks like a back woods starter solenoid to me...some aftermarket or one meant for many purposes....definitely a replacement item on your list.

[dpollo]

I have seen a similar unit where twelve volts was obtained by using two six volt batteries in a series but the switch put them in parallel for six volt running.

[Rjpond]

I did some searching and the large post on  this Bakelite solenoid(?) on the left, connects to the large battery terminal

 

And the large post on the right connects to a wire that runs through a rubber seal.        ( with other wires) through the firewall and underneath and into the dash

 

In the group of the four smaller terminals, the top two connect to their respective larger terminals on each side. 

The green wire connects to the back side of this Bakelite solenoid and the Red wire connects to the underneath of the Bakelite solenoid

 

The top left terminal has a black wire that connects to the smaller terminal on your typical 3 post starter solenoid. Of course on the larger posts of the starter solenoid one side connects to the starter and the other side connects to the smaller battery terminal. The smaller middle terminal has the black wire coming from the Bakelite solenoid and also a wire that I’m guessing goes to the ignition switch

 

in the wiring diagram for a 55 dodge c-3-c, I do not see anything showing windshield wipers wiring or a switch. This truck has a pair of wipers. I originally thought that this device was for the wipers. But I am beginning to think that dpollo is correct and it has something to do with 6v to 12v

 

thanks all for chiming in with your thoughts  and I’m still learning 

 

Scott