6 V Starter on 12 V Diet

[55 Fargo]

Hey all, had to pull my 12 volt starter for servicing, but installed a spare 6 volt starter temporarily.

It spins nice and fast, and no meshing issues.

How many of you have a run a 6 volt starter on 12 volt diet?

Hopefully wont run it too long like this, but its not bad at all.

[Bobacuda]

I ran my truck's 6V starter on 8V for about 15 years - no problems and it sure helped with starting.

[Reg Evans]

I've been running Old Yellers 6 volt starter on 12 volts for a little over 20 years now without any issues.

[55 Fargo]

1 hour ago, Reg Evans said:

I've been running Old Yellers 6 volt starter on 12 volts for a little over 20 years now without any issues.

Nothing like Autolite technology and quality Reg. I kinda like a 6v starter on 12, it spins faster than a 12 volt starter....

[greg g]

The only negative I have heard is the speed at which the 6v bendix engages and concerns for it's long term reliability with the address shock of engagement.

[The Oil Soup]

My 6v starter has been on 12v  for 3 years no problemo.

[1949 Wraith]

12 volts to 6 volt starter on my 38 sedan and 51 truck for many years no issues. Also 12 volts to my 6 volt 46 Oldsmobile, so far so good.

[MarkAubuchon]

same here, finally after 10 years I had the 6 volt starter converted to 12.  

[Vet Doc]

So what about a 6 volt coil on 12 volts.

[Radarsonwheels]

28 minutes ago, Vet Doc said:

So what about a 6 volt coil on 12 volts.

That’s a nope. 70’s cars with ballast resistors had a 12v startup circuit but it had to drop down to 6ish or it cooks the coil. 

[Jerry Roberts]

On 8/14/2019 at 12:47 PM, Vet Doc said:

So what about a 6 volt coil on 12 volts.

A resistor for the 6 volt coil is cheap and a common item . 

[Radarsonwheels]

Oh I forgot I have a funny story about my 6v starter on 12v- one day it just stopped working at all. I didn’t know if it could be rebuilt or where to get a new one and I was getting tired from trying to pop start the truck unsuccessfully- push, jump in, 2nd gear, sidestep the clutch, no luck. 

 

I ended up hosing down the starter through the button stalk hole and anywhere I could get into the case from the outside with wd40- which is mostly solvent and a little oil. After that it worked like a charm for another five or seven years until I swapped out the flatty. I suspect the contacts were dirty but who knows maybe the brushes or armature or whatever were gummed up. 

 

Funny story and maybe it the retelling could help somebody out!

[falconvan]

I’ve converted several 6volt cars to 12volt and I always just leave the starter as is. Never had an issue.

[Ralph Pearce]

I'm yet another with a 6 volt starter on a 12 volt system about five years no issues.  I never over-crank, and I have a rebuilt spare handy just in case.