12 Volt Starter Motor - Pre 1966 Models (For Use With 6 Volt Flywheels)

Thinking of converting your 6 Volt car into 12 Volts?

VW models built before 1965 were originally fitted with 6 Volt electrics. It is very common however for these earlier models to be converted to run 12 volt electrics.  When this is done however the original 6 volt starter motor is normally used as installing a 12 volt starter requires you to pull the engine out and change the flywheel to the 12 volt version.

12 Volt flywheels have 130 teeth on the ring gear and 6 Volt flywheels have 109 teeth.  Therefore the gear on the end of the start motor that meshes into the ring gear on the flywheel is also different.  So they are not compatible with each other.

Running a 6 Volt flywheel on a 12 volt system will work for a time but the starter motor will run twice as fast as it was designed to do and generally they do not last the test of time.

But don`t worry we now have you convered with the converted starter motor!

This starter motor still has the original 6 Volt gear and shaft so it will slip straight into a 6 Volt gearbox without any conversion bushes and will mesh into the 6 Volt 109 tooth Flywheel.  But this starter has been designed to run on 12 volt electrics!!

For use on all Pre 1966 VW models including VW Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Type 3 and Splitscreen Buses with original 6 volt gearboxes and engine flywheels.

Quality: Good quality

Fitment: For use in 6 Volt Gearboxes and engines with 6 volt flywheels

Fitting: When fitting this starter motor it is recommended that a new starter motor bush is also fitted, see part number 111301155

Once this starter motor is fitted if you are still having issues then double check all of your wiring.  Most reported faults with new starter motors not working are installed are due to old wiring from the ignition switch producing low voltage at the start motor solenoid.  Check that all wires are in good order and all electrical terminals and connections are clean and dry.

Applications:

VW Beetle: 1949 – 1966

VW Splitscreen Van: 1950 – 1966

VW Karmann Ghia: 1955 – 1966

VW Type 3: 1962 – 1966

VW Buggy + Baja: 1949 – 1966