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josh32cb
Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2011
Posts: 26
Location: Massachusetts
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 Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 7:10 pm Post subject: 6 Volt/ 12 volt starter Flywheel Compatability |
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So I recently ran into starter problems on my '65 splitty and realized that a new one was needed. Now the previous owner had put a 6 volt starter in, but the system was converted to 12 volts. Went and bought a new starter for a "67-whatever year" for a bus thinking it should be 12 volts. Tried putting it in and after a few times took it out because it sounded horrendous. Come to find out the gear on the "new" 12 volt starter is smaller than the pervious 6 volt starter. Do I have a flywheel for a 6 volt system? Is that what I should look for? Thought I would have her on the road by now and it just gets frustrating.
Any thoughts?
Thanks, Josh
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'65 Splitty- JuiceBox
'59 Ragtop- Dorothy
"Life's a beach, Dig it"!
Last edited by josh32cb on Sat May 30, 2015 4:46 am; edited 1 time in total |
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mandraks
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Joined: November 28, 2004
Posts: 7050
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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i say yes, they left the flywheel and starter alone and just ran it on 12 volt.
you either need a starter with a gear that matches your flywheel or the other way around.
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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel |
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KombiMadness
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Joined: December 09, 2011
Posts: 388
Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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| mandraks wrote: |
i say yes, they left the flywheel and starter alone and just ran it on 12 volt.
you either need a starter with a gear that matches your flywheel or the other way around. |
Or as above but they swapped out the 12v starter motor cog with a 6v one to marry up with the 6v flywheel. This is how my 59 bus was set up.
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My brother & I on the roof of Dad's Splitty circa 1967 - I'm the half pint with the skinny legs! |
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josh32cb
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Joined: August 28, 2011
Posts: 26
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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Didn't know that they had different flywheels. Just read an article about switching the gears. Worth a shot. Hopefully it will save a few beans. Thanks
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'65 Splitty- JuiceBox
'59 Ragtop- Dorothy
"Life's a beach, Dig it"! |
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KombiMadness
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Joined: December 09, 2011
Posts: 388
Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia
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| Posted: Fri May 29, 2015 4:02 am Post subject: |
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| josh32cb wrote: |
| Didn't know that they had different flywheels. Just read an article about switching the gears. Worth a shot. Hopefully it will save a few beans. Thanks |
6v and 12v flywheels have different number or size teeth, something like that (someone here will know), but they are different.
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My brother & I on the roof of Dad's Splitty circa 1967 - I'm the half pint with the skinny legs! |
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BarryL 
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Location: Casa de Oro, California
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sloans265
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Joined: October 24, 2004
Posts: 1321
Location: 32207
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| Posted: Fri May 29, 2015 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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Buy another 6V starter and get back on the road. If you want to be anal about it then go buy a 12V flywheel and swap it out.
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josh32cb
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Joined: August 28, 2011
Posts: 26
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 4:42 am Post subject: |
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Yup just going to get another 6 volt starter. Don't feel like getting into another "small" project. Thanks everyone!
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'65 Splitty- JuiceBox
'59 Ragtop- Dorothy
"Life's a beach, Dig it"! |
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pyrOman
Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003
Posts: 12409
Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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| Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 9:04 am Post subject: |
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^^^^ Smart thinking there! ^^^^ "Small" projects usually turn into major productions rather easily! 
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Harleyelf
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Joined: April 23, 2009
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Location: Appleton, WI
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| Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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"Short cuts make for long delays"
Bilbo Baggins
Putting a 12V flywheel in an early transmission involves cutting metal off of the transmission housing due to the larger diameter. 6V starters work fine on 12V. |
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BarryL
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Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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| If you already have the 12 volt complete starter then switch the 12 volt solenoid onto the 6 volt starter. It makes it seem less savage engaging and helps soak up some of the 12 voltness going into the 6 volt starter motor. |
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Mr Mike
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Joined: March 23, 2004
Posts: 766
Location: washington state
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| Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Josh32CB , For what its worth I've been running a 6 volt starter on my 12 volt upgraded '63 bus for the entire 20 years I've owned the bus. I have a 1600 SP engine with a modified flywheel that has 6 volt "teeth". Many years ago had a machine shop take the teeth off a 6 volt flywheel and after turning down a 12 volt a bit had the 6 volt stuff heat shrunk to the 12 volt wheel. Since then I've seen several ways to get around this issue, but anyway this has worked for me all these years. The main point is that six volt starters really work well in 12 volt systems. With a bus in good tune, it only takes a moment for the 6 volt starter to start 'er up. Doesn't hurt the starter, that plus with 12 volts that 6 volt starter spins the engine just a hair faster. Its worked well for me all this time. |
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j.pickens
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Joined: December 03, 2002
Posts: 9791
Location: Exit 7, New Jersey
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| Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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| BarryL wrote: |
| If you already have the 12 volt complete starter then switch the 12 volt solenoid onto the 6 volt starter. It makes it seem less savage engaging and helps soak up some of the 12 voltness going into the 6 volt starter motor. |
This is what I did with my 40 horse, 6V flywheel, 200mm clutch, 12V bus.
The 6V starter does wind awfully fast, but the 12V solenoid keeps from cracking teeth.
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BarryL
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Joined: November 01, 2004
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Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2015 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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| Mr Mike wrote: |
| I have a 1600 SP engine with a modified flywheel that has 6 volt "teeth". Many years ago had a machine shop take the teeth off a 6 volt flywheel and after turning down a 12 volt a bit had the 6 volt stuff heat shrunk to the 12 volt wheel. |
There have been 6volt 200mm flywheels since '63. Not sure why this was necessary? |
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josh32cb
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Joined: August 28, 2011
Posts: 26
Location: Massachusetts
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| Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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Got my new 6 volt starter today, threw it in there and she fired right up. Very excited!
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'65 Splitty- JuiceBox
'59 Ragtop- Dorothy
"Life's a beach, Dig it"! |
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