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Not a M38 question but maybe you can help, 6 volt starter...

Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:48 pm
by Herrmann_Sherman
I have a downgraded M38, the whole electric stuff is Cj3A on 6V.
Now a guy told me that the starter is also working on 12V easily.
I can´t belive and so I´m asking you, does anyone have some experience?

HS

Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 3:16 pm
by RICKG
I can't speak for the M-38 but I've converted 6V Ford 8N tractors
to 12V and used the orig 6V starter with success.

Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 5:25 pm
by spec4don
I had a 1953 ford pickup I converted from 6Volt Positive ground to 12V negative ground and kept the 6Volt starter. Worked really good! Would spin that engine around really quick. No issues on a cold morning.

I put that engine in my dads truck and the starter was still doing it's thing 10 years later.

Don G.

Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 5:36 pm
by 12B
Ditto when I converted my 1951 Cockshutt farm tractor to 12v from 6v. Same starter works fine!

Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 10:00 pm
by wesk
The lower voltage starters will work fine in the higher voltage system as long as you don't crank them for minutes at a time. limit cranking to 15-20 seconds followed by a 1 min cool down..

I have run 6 volters on 12 and 12 volters on 24 with rarely any problems.

Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 7:57 am
by Herrmann_Sherman
ok guys, thanks a lot for your assistance. So i will only change the generator and the incuction coil...and battery.

I´d like to have a little more power at the start....

Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 8:05 am
by wesk
You will also have to change the lamps, horn and any other 6 volt accessories on the jeep. The electrical powered gauges IE amp/volt meter and fuel gauge as well.

If the coil is a 6 volt coil all you need to do is buy a ballast type resistor to mount on the firewall and wire in the wire that runs from the switch to the coil. Be sure to get the correct resistance ballast resistor. There are many out there that are only used with 12 volt coils to reduce the 14V charging voltage to around 12.5. You want the resistor that reduces the voltage to around 8.5 to 9.0 volts. If you buy one specific to a 55 or 56 Chevy you will get the right one. They will cost between $8.50 and $10.00.

Image

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/ ... 73_0_9348_

Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:40 am
by Herrmann_Sherman
thank you, wesk!