12 volt starter question

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:35 pm

I recently aquired a new 24 volt M37 starter in a bunch of parts I got. I am doing my truck in 12 volt. I know there are a lot of 12 volt M37s out there so enlighten me. I know a Power Wagon 12volt starter will bolt right in, but then it becomes a solenoid / key start. A 6 volt Power Wagon starter will also bolt in, but although I have not compared them to the M37, I doubt the M37 starter peddle would line up with a Power Wagon starter.
I would really like to retain the starter peddle, so what have others done?
It seems really expensive to convert the 24 volt starter to 12 volts. Perhaps a modified arm on a 6 volt Power Wagon starter would be the simplest.
The 6 volt starters spin really nice with 12 volts!
Thanks,
Tim

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:38 pm

I spoke with an old timer at a local Starter/alternator shop a while back when I was deciding whether to go 12 or 24 on mine and he told me that you can get the armature rewound for 12v for about $150. He said it was pretty common to have 12v starters built with 24v fields, and that it would just be considered a Heavy duty starter. something to chew on.

Brett

Post by **Cal_Gary** » Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:48 am

Mine came with a 12v starter and also had a matching flywheel that isn't the same as an M37, because I attempted to replace the flywheel with a new M37 one and it wouldn't fit right. The back side of the M flywheel has that 1 inch wide, 1/2 inch extra thickness that the civvy starter locked up against when I installed the new flywheel. There are no numbers on either of the working set so I have nothing to reference. My starter is also with a keyed solenoid-no foot action required.
Gary

wvcharlie · Post by **wvcharlie** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:10 pm

Mine was already converted to 12 volts when I got it. It has a 6 volt starter in it. I undersatnd this is a common thing to do. I have no idea what it came out of. It bolts right in and you can use the pedal starter. It seems a little unorthidox but it has worked fine for me for a couple of years. You would think it would burn up quick, but I have given mine a work out and it continued to work fine. By the way, I am replacing my motor with a 318 V8 , so if you don't find anything else, my starter is available.

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:59 pm

Hi Charlie,
That is good to know,, that the arm on the 6 volt starter mates up with the pedal. I have a bunch of 6 volt starters kicking around, I will check them out. Failing that I might be interested in yours. There is a Power Wagon Rally in Morgantown in about a month, any chance you are going? If you have gone in the past, then we have met. Do you have an ambulance?
Tim

wvcharlie · Post by **wvcharlie** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:49 am

Tim,
Yes, I am the one with the Jeep M725 ambulance at the power wagon rally. I will be there at next month's rally. Hopefully I will have this V8 in my M37 by then. I have been looking for about six months for the illusive bell housing that would allow me to bolt up this 318 to my stock NP420 transmission. No luck. I have decided I am going to have to switch to a later NP435 transmission which I have located along with a bell housing. This will require some modification of the short shaft to the transfer case.
I hope to see you at the rally and anyone else that wants to do some good trail riding and talk with like minded people. I will hang on to that starter for you if you like.

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:10 pm

Hi Charlie,
I am running an NP 435 on my 318 and didnt need to do anything to my intermediate shaft. I guess there is a long tailshaft 435, or maybe your bellhousing is different, but again, the stock shaft worked for me.
See you in W.Va!
Tim

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