Gonna drop an olds mill in a 1939 Mercury. Manual Lasalle transmission with the starter crossover. I want to keep the stock wiring and 6V+ ground system. Question is… Can I run a 1949 Cadillac starter on the crossover? From searching this was the last and only one that ran a 6V+ ground system. or should I look into taking the stock 56 olds starter and getting it reworked for the 6v+ ground system? Lastly, if I use a 49 caddy starter, do I need the 145 tooth flywheel or ring gear? Or will the 176 tooth work? any help appreciated.
You just need a 6 volt starter. Starters do not care about the grounding. They run the same direction whether you connect them negative or positive ground.
@jaracer that’s what I read, but wasn’t clear and want to make sure. What about the solenoid? Works fine too with the +ground? also tooth count? 6v will need the 145 tooth?
Is there room for 2 Optima's in parallel? Seriously, I think that's what it would take to make it start on a regular basis. And make sure the engine (or at least the lifters) are in good shape. When those old Oldsmobiles get worn out, the lifters "bleed down" when not running, and have to be pumped up before they will start). Back in the day, 6 volts wouldn't do it. If you have a fresh rebuild or a solid lifter cam, ignore this. But I think you can still expect starting problems.
The ring gear and starter need to match, in most cases. I suggest that you will be happier with the finished rod if you go to the effort now to convert to 12 volt, negative ground. Your Oldsmobile starter and generator will work. The most difficult part will be using the stock gauges, but that knowledge is here, also.
nah. I got it figured out with the input from several guys. Keeping her all 6v+ground. never had a finished rod and just getting ducks in a row. Just need to get. The caddy starter.49-52 have everything else. (Crossover, 145 tooth flywheel, 6v +ground Mallory coil)
Agreed. Also easier to swap to 350/350 combo, some classic instrument gauges, billet pulley setup, power steering… but I have S&M tendencies. I don’t know any better and continue to the bitter end for the hell of it. but I appreciate the input nonetheless.
Just did this, put a 49 303 in a 39 pickup. Dont forget about the remote oil filter. I used a hildebrant one with the built in pressure relief.
One other problem I had was in setting the engine I had no idea spacers were needed along with the Hurst mounts. I later found 37 to 40 fords required them. Not sure about Mercurys.
If you go with 6 volts on that Olds, you will be glad it’s a stick shift, because you will be push starting it often when the engine is warm. You saw plenty of 8 volt batteries in Oldsmobiles the old days.
There is a reason all the car makers went to 12 volts with high compression V8 engines. GM V8's in 53, Pontiac and Chev in 55, Ford in 56.
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