starter voltage

[Joe in Canada]

I have bought a starter and all the parts to put a starter in my T. I have a shoulder injury and am nerves about next summer so I am going to install it. My question is I was on the Model T forum and a fellow is looking for a 12 volt starter for his T. Back in the 70 I used to build done buggy's and changed all electrical except the starter. I always understood that a 6 volt starter had a heavier winding than the the 12  so never had to change them. We never had a problem and they turned over faster if I remember correctly. Does the Model T starter have a heavy winding that will stand up to a 12 volt battery?

[emjay]

If I understand by electrics, increasing voltage requires better insulation and of course the current is less, so 6 to 12 volts shouldn't be a problem.  Dad droped 12volt batteries in his 24 and 33 Fords with no starter change as I recall.  I think the 24 has the stock generator, but the 33 received an alternator.

[cahartley]

On the mtfca forum it's recommended to run the battery juice through a Bendix spring to provide resistance to lessen "slamming" the starter drive into the ring gear.

 

[Dave Young]

Your question doesn't state whether you are intending to put a 12 volt battery in your T.  Just for the record, all of my T's crank just fine on a 6 volt battery and a standard starter.  Yes, it doesn't spin over like a modern car, but it doesn't need to, either. One or two compression strokes and they are running.   The impact of the 12 hit is pretty strong, so guys do rig up resistors to save wear and tear.  Why bother,  Henry had it just right when he designed it.  I run my 12 volt LED tail lights and turn signals off of a little trailer brake battery hidden under the floor boards and just recharge it every couple of months... and my T goes about 3000 miles a year.