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High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:59 pm
by Cal_Gary
Hi All,
I'd been harassing Charles at M-Series Rebuild LLC for the past year or so regarding this starter. I finally found the cash to get one and am SO glad I did! Brand new in the box, half the size of my old one, but needed characterization with some fresh 24087 paint!
I installed it today. FYI, those two mount nuts are still a pain in the butt, but well worth the time and trouble! Anyway, once installed I offered a moment of silence then hit the key-the 230 fired up in less than a second! Man was I impressed, so much so that I had to key it off and on a half-dozen times just to re-live the moment!
I can't say enough how well it works, has great torque and speed, and highly recommend it! Many thanks to Charles for making them available, in 12 or 24V.
Oh, Bert, pictures?

Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:03 pm
by Cal_Gary
And....
Just in time for the marathon of Winter Storm warnings now up for my neck of the woods and headed East! I also got my tire chains installed and did my PMCS today.
Hope all are well, healthy and safe!
Gary
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2021 8:06 am
by RCrombie
That’s a pretty slick setup! Amazing how the gear reduction starters can be so much smaller but also so much more effective than the old direct drive style. I must say though, I would miss the foot starter. That’s one of the bits of “character” on these old trucks.
Good luck with the snow! Having chains makes a huge difference.
Rob
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:30 pm
by m-37Bruce
I agree, very slick, personally I would not miss the foot starter. Congratulations CG, KUDOS to Charles at M-Series Rebuild as well.
Are these readily available or only through Charles & M-Series?
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2021 10:04 pm
by Cal_Gary
Thanks guys, I don't know how "readily available" they are, but my old one required a lot of finesse with the key to get the old starter to engage-a bit un-nerving in a parking lot with a bunch of folks watching....
Now, for snow, the first storm petered out but the next one rolls in overnight, with Winter Storm warnings posted throughout the region. I've got the truck and camera ready for a joy ride if we get a decent amount of snow.
Gary
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:00 am
by signsup
Hmmm... wonder if this would work on my Dodge WC56 command car? It's not a factory class restoration and I'd rather have it start every time than look 100 percent correct. I also have a M37 in the shop for daily driver type restomod and this starter may be an option for that truck.
I'll go check out the site.
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:46 am
by RCrombie
Haha I just took a closer look now and clued in that your old starter was solenoid operated as well. Was that a modification?
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2021 1:15 pm
by John Mc
I'm a big fan of the foot starter- it's part of the character of the truck. I suppose if you put in a solenoid operated starter, you could always rig up a switch to the foot starter pedal to still operate it off that.
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:47 am
by Cal_Gary
That starter was in the truck when I bought it. VPW rebuilt it for me several years ago but it's just too worn out to continue grinding with it.
Gary
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 4:56 am
by just me
Readily available from Summit and others. Not expensive.
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2021 2:32 pm
by m-37Bruce
just me wrote:Readily available from Summit and others. Not expensive.
That's really good to know!
Thanks,
BTW, does it have a part # or any specs?
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:36 pm
by ferroequinologist
Cal_Gary wrote:That starter was in the truck when I bought it. VPW rebuilt it for me several years ago but it's just too worn out to continue grinding with it.
Gary
Hey Gary,
Does your old one have any part numbers on it? Think you might sell it? I am building a custom 'what if' MV based on the M37, and want a 'correct' looking starter that isn't foot operated.
Or I could go with the same one you did and just deal with it not being 'period' enough looking.
Glad to hear it worked out well, I might swap one of the new ones in on my 'farm truck' M37. Wife has a hard time reaching the foot starter and she uses it the most.
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2021 12:16 am
by Cal_Gary
@ Bruce, I didn't see a part number anywhere on the new one;
@ Ferro, sorry, that old one was hauled off to the dump on Monday. Had I known you'd wanted it you could have had it for the cost of shipping....
Again, sorry,
Gary
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2021 8:59 am
by m-37Bruce
Thanks Gary, I'm not sure what direction I'm going, but a newer drivetrain might be in my future?
Re: High speed starter for the Dodge 230...
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2021 10:58 pm
by Cal_Gary
Really Bruce? Why would you do that if your current drivetrain is in good shape? More power maybe?
Gary