Hot Rods FLATHEAD POWERMASTER STARTER

I'm collecting all the needed good parts to drop in a warmed up flathead V8 into my original 6 cylinder '51 Ford Tudor. Conversion to 12 v underway and am looking at a Powermaster geared starter. I've heard some good comments, just wondering if anyone has first hand experience. Thanks.

 

No experience with PM, but the stock Ford 6V starter on mine has been working on 12V for 15 years. Just avoid long cranking.

 

I used one on a Flathead (gear reduction)..owned it for 10 years after I installed it, working fine when I sold the p/u.

 

Shoebox: Convert your present 6V starter to 12V and you'll save lots of $$ and be very happy.
Here's how it's done.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211141&highlight=convert+starter+12v

As has been said, your 6V starter will work fine on 12V as long as you don't overheat it. Be very sure to use an original Ford spring loaded Bendix drive if you do decide to rebuild. I finally did rebuild mine after 16 years.

 

I had a stock type 12 volt PowerMaster on the stock (except for EAB heads) 8ba in my '39 p/u. Absolute POS. The inside of the starter was about 1/2 the size of a stock starter. It was installed in a stock sized case I guess to make it look like there was some actual substance to it. It failed under warranty and the shop that sold it to me ended up fixing it instead of sending it back under warranty. A year or so later it completely self destructed. All plastic parts inside the case when it was opened up. I still have the pieces on my shelf to remind me what a POS it was. This is the one I had. Don't know if the geared reduction ones are any better but if it was me I would "run Forest, run" JMO

 

I want to see that carnage.

 

I'll post some photos tomorrow.

 

I kept busting the bendix spring on the stock “6 volt” starter on my Merc, twice to be exact and decided to go with the PM starter, so far so good

 

I initially went with the Power Master because it had the original style Bendix as opposed to the newer enclosed style. The enclosed Bendix's are a PITA to install in an 8ba with a 1/2 bell housing. After the Power Master self destructed I ordered a 12 volt unit from Joe's Antique Auto. It came with the newer style Bendix but Joe sold me an original Bendix in place of the new style Bendix and only charged the extra difference in price for the original Bendix compared to the new style one which I didn't want. All good so far.

 

I chose to use one of 12 volt gear reduction starters . It was easy to install and has been working well for 6 years.

 

Photos

 

Gosh, Looks like Henry Ford had a better idea.

 

Thanks fellas for the responses and photos. Even before seeing 51550bat's carnage, for some reason I just skipped over that model on Powermaster's site, if I wanted something to look original, I'd use original, which I realize I can.
It's just that I have geared starters on a 454 and a 401 nailhead and they've worked so sweet. I'll continue to check into these regarding flatheads. Thanks.

 

We installed a gear reduction start on a 1950 flathead, and broke it on start up ( our fault NOT pm’s ). Called them about it and sent it back, they repaired it for cost of parts only. And great to deal with.

 

Any issue with the PM gear reduction starter engaging the ring gear from the front instead of the rear like a stock starter does? I guess if you're installing a new ring gear at the same time you could reverse it so the bevels on the teeth face forward to better mesh with the gear reduction starter?

 

I personally install powermaster starters all the time at work with no issues.. That being said, any time I’ve used a FLATHEAD powermaster starter it was a waste of time. So many issues. The powergen alternators are top notch.

 

You will find better results if you use an original Henry Ford starter.

 

I believe you,..... but what kind of issues?

 

ive had 3 just stop working (shorted internally), and one just completely came apart. NOTE: this is only with the Vintage Torque model (the stock looking style). Ive not used the gear reduction model because they just look awful on a flathead.

 

I put one on when I built the roadsters flatty and it has been flawless. It now wears a cool leather cover with insulation inside that my daughter stitched up.

 

Thank You for this AWESOME PIC!

 

I have been using a stock flathead starter on my '40 pickup for over 20 years and it has worked great. It runs a lot faster on 12 volts which helps with starting quickly. The only disadvantage I have run into is with the bendix spring. The starter spins so much faster on 12 volts that the gear strikes the ring gear a lot harder during engagement. That is hard on the bendix spring. No problem though, as it only takes me 1 hour to replace it. Oh yeah, that is one bendix spring broken in 21 years.