Hello, I took my starter off my 1955 F-100 223 to the armature shop today for an estimate. This truck hasn't ran in 40 years and was flooded up to the floor pan at some point. The starter is locked up - other than that not sure if anything is wrong. Planning on converting the truck to 12 volts.

The guy at the shop told me at a minimum, he would replace the bendix, since going to 12 volt can break the factory spring after awhile. Worst case, if I need a replacement armature and fields, probably looking at $150 - $200.

I did a quick search online and it looks like I can get a (remanufactured I'm guessing) 12V '56 starter for a 223 for about 100 bucks and free shipping. Would that work in my '55? I can't personally see why not, but that's why I'm asking. If it works, any reason to not go that route rather than rebuilding? Thanks!

 

The original 6V (pictured) & 12V starters use the HUGE Bendix inertia starter drive (11350 in pic).

Most people in today's world that work in garages/repair shops haven't seen one a these Bendix drives in years, some have never seen one.

So I have to wonder if the shop took the starter apart.

The drive is retained to the shaft of the armature w/a pin (11365). The drive has to be unwound by hand to access it, then it has to be wound back up, which takes strong hands.

 

No, I don't think he tore into it yet. I'm mostly trying to figure out if I have a viable option with a '56 12V starter, especially if he tells me it's going to cost $200 to get my existing '55 starter in operation.

 

 

Welcome to FTE. Your statement that the truck was flooded to the floor pan would cause me to explore further into what else may have had water intrusion. How about the engine, differential and transmission. Are these units free from water damage?
IMO, $200. is quite a bit to rebuild a starter.
Those springs have been known to break.
A 12V 1956 starter conversion would work with your proposed 12V converted electrical system.. It has been my experience that one of these old Ford six volt starters will last a long time with a 12V source.
Good luck. Keep us informed.
We like pictures of old Ford trucks.

 

Thanks for the info everyone. Sounds like I have a viable option, but I'll wait to hear on my existing starter. The $12 eval fee seems fair enough anyway. .
I got water out of the transmission and engine, but only got around to looking in the engine. I assume it's in the diff as well. The crankcase was pretty good - I think whatever sludge left was enough to float on the water and isolate the water and engine. Under the valve cover was worse - evaporation and condensation got to some of the valvetrain, but it will clean up. As this truck is in Colorado and I am in Utah, I last worked on it after Christmas and the engine was seized from sitting forever. Left it with diesel/atf in the cylinders and I'll try to free it up next chance I get. With the state that it's in though, I'll probably have to remove the head and see if the cylinders are pitted. I'll get some pics loaded at some point!