Hot Rods Ford Starter Relay Amperage Question...

The starter relay ****ped out on my Model A (with 1959 Y block). It currently has a 4 terminal Ford style relay so, naturally I want to swap in a new one. Looks like the stock one for a '59 only had 3 terminals.

Any recommendations for what I should be asking for at the parts store?

My BIG question is is it possible for the wrong Ford style relay to put out too many amps for the wiring that is down stream from it like the starter and wherever else the wires go?

 

Doesn't matter, as long as it's a 12 v unit.
Sounds like you're just using the S terminal, which is fine.
There shouldn't be anything downstream from the relay, as it is a momentary contact deal.
Are you asking if your battery is too high with CCA's ? Very doubtful..Never saw it happen.

 

The Ford style starter solenoid can be a confusing issue. I believe they all ground through the mounting bracket but the two small terminals are not the connections for the holding coil on a four terminal. I believe a three terminal does not have the 12 volt output for the ignition. One of them is for the holding coil to ground and the other one is a 12 volt output to your ignition coil on a four terminal which gives you full voltage during startup. Ask me how I found that out after returning two of them I thought were dead. Get your ohm meter out before you try to wire it and check what's what...

 

In regards to your BIG question, the relay only p***es available current (amps) it doesn’t make current.
Use the best one available

 

I’m not too worried about putting that back together correctly, the relay I have is labeled S, and I for the small terminals. I was mostly worried about somehow frying the starter or coil if I get the “wrong” relay.

Thanks

 

Don't worry, that's now how electricity works.

 

Try and get a good ol USA version.

 

I like the ones with the ****on on them to engage the starter from under the hood if you wish. I think they are still available new, nice metal can not plastic. I've also run original ford 6v units on 12 volts, I dont think they care and since it is only short use you are not going to burn up the coil inside. Mount with the ****on on the bottom so gravity helps "turn it off" as they some times stick on when mounted the other way

 

S is for solenoid input, I for ignition output as I mentioned before

 

These relays do draw current, much like a starter solenoid does. Both p*** high starter current.

 

Not for use with a permanent magnet type starter like some of the mini starters have

 

That makes sense...when I wasn't sure if it was the starter or the relay, by buddy found one of the Powermaster units on Speedway and kept asking why my Y block had an external relay when the ones on the site all had them built in.

Either way, I grabbed a "Limited Lifetime Warranty" unit from the O'Reilly's around the corner and it is back in business.

Thanks!

 

I have had several tractors [magneto ign.] that used the Ford 4 term solenoid, both with factory wiring had a jumper wire from the "I" term to grd at one of the mounting bracket bolts. Why? Seems like a direct short when the solenoid is activated for starting. Removing the wire made no difference in starting.