I'm trying to locate the correct starter for my application and hoping someone here can help. The engine is a 1951 Chrysler Spitfire connected to a '36 Chrysler 3-speed with 146-tooth flywheel. My current starter that was giving grief is a one wire connected unit (No solenoid on top). That starter never worked well with grinding noises. It has a 9-tooth gear on it. Does anyone have a handle on what I should be looking for and where to get it? Thanks in advance!!
CAnt tell you exactly what you need - all I can is confirm the maths 146 / 9 = 16.22 so the teeth will not mesh properly
I just bought this car from Trader Joe, haven't even seen her in person yet. It's on a truck heading toward WI. Anyway, I would like to repeat the quesiton please, starter for a '51 Chrysler spitfire, car is converted to 12V, anyone? What do I need? and where can I find it? Sounds like the wrong starter was installed and doesn't mesh right with the flywheel. I am so stoked to own this car, want to get this starter issue handled right away so I can enjoy it. Thanks!!!
The oem 6v will live a long time on 12v as long as it starts up quickly. But, if you need to change, yours should be 146 tooth count and the first 12v was 1956 and still 146 tooth count. The 172 tooth started in 1957. .
Thanks guys, Great links Incognito! Should shed much new light on the situation. The car showed up last night. Starter wouldn't engage at all after mutiple attempts, just kept spinning out. Out on the street in the dark I threw a starter I had for my '40 Plymouth w/218 in and the car fired up real quick. Motor sounds great! After getting her up the hill and into the garage I started it again. There was a clunk when the starter engaged but then it started fast. I speculate I still have some issue, need to do more investigation. Sounds like it may be the incorrect ring gear or starter. I hope the problem isn't that the incorrect starter that was run previously has now damaged the ring gear. I really wasn't planning on having to tear this apart right away, was hoping I had bought a turnkey driver. We'll see.
The clunk was the sound of the cast starter cone breaking off! Hmmmm. More details here: http://p15-d24.com/topic/33509-help-please-251-chysler-spitfire-starter/#entry337536. Any ideas from the hamb brethren?
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