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Jul 14, 2012 | 01:05 PM

52flathead

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12volt starter

I have a 52 f3 v8 flathead, if I want to convert to 12 volts do they make a 12 volt starter for it?

Jul 14, 2012 | 01:09 PM

r_reed

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: scotia. NY 12302

many people continue to use the 6 volt starter. it can work for a long time and cranks over at 2x the speed. that being said, you can have your current 6 volt converted to 12v if you have an auto electric that rebuilds starters, gens, etc. i'm sure that are rebuilt 12v starters that will work on your flatmotor as well. dick r.

Jul 14, 2012 | 02:22 PM

bobj49f2

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Joined: Jan 2001

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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

I used 12 volt on my starter for about a year before switching back to six. No problem. I've jumped started my truck many time with 12 volt when it got cold, the flat sixes don't seem to like temps under 40°. You shouldn't crank on it for extended periods of time, even on 6 volt the starter will get hot.

Jul 14, 2012 | 02:43 PM

oldmerc

oldmerc

Joined: Jul 2011

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From: Edmonton,Alberta

The general consensus seams to be , use the 6 volt starter with 12 volts and as has been said don't crank to long at a stretch .

Jul 14, 2012 | 08:52 PM

19fifty4

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Been fighting electrical gremlins all day today and finally zeroed in on the starter in a serious way about 90 minutes ago. I too was using a 6v starter after everything was converted to 12v. Planned to stay with 6v starter but the gremlins were a starter that was having intermittent problems. Thought it was working good but not so. Since I now have to get it worked on anyway I am going to have them convert it to 12v. They rewound my 6v generator to 12 v last week and did an excellent job / $40.

If you can test yours to make sure it is working good then no sense of urgency to convert but if you don't have faith in it then it might be best to switch it over to 12v.

Jul 15, 2012 | 04:52 AM

big job

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Dec 2005

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All I can say I have a 50 F6 that my father converted to 12vts around
1960. It is now 2012 same 6vt starter and have never touched it.
Just touch the button and motor is running. Compared to >I have
a F150 and F350 you know the so called modern junk and they have
to go around several times before running , already put 3 starter motors
in the F150 so why cant modern tech. start like a flathead?????????

Jul 15, 2012 | 06:06 AM

raytasch

Believe Nothing

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 7,516

Likes: 403

From: W. Central FL.

I would venture to say there are thousands of 6 volt Ford starters running on 12 Volts, that many on tractors alone. Other than normal wear failure, brushes, bearings, bushings, I've not heard of one burning the windings. The cheap import starter relays do seem prone to failure though when they overheat.