How many different V8 starters were there?

[PackardV8]

Studebaker V8s benefit greatly from parts interchange over the '51-64 lifespan. However starters have always been a PITA. Why was it necessary to have a different automatic and standard shift starter? Most other makes don't.

OK, lessee, if we take all the permutations:

6V car standard
6V car auto
6V truck standard
6V truck auto
12V car standard
12V car auto
12V car heavy duty standard
12V car heavy duty auto
12V truck standard
12V truck auto

Are there really ten different starters? Have I missed any or counted any which don't exist?

jack vines

[2R2]

Jack, are you counting the unique R1/R2 starters?

[bezhawk]

Don't forget to differentiate between the Delco, and the Prestolite units . They have different starter drives.
Also one could make a heavy duty Delco by using Pontiac or Cadillac four field coil , coils.

[PackardV8]

Jack, are you counting the unique R1/R2 starters?

I was counting them under the "heavy duty".

Don't forget to differentiate between the Delco, and the Prestolite units . They have different starter drives.

So how many different starters does that make?

jack vines

[Warren Webb]

My 62 Champ w/ 5 speed o/drive has a starter that doesn't fit any of my other stuff

[StudeRich]

Do you know WHAT part of the Starter does not fit Warren?

I have never noticed any Car to Truck differences at all. Anyone know what they are?

[Warren Webb]

I had it rebuilt a year ago. When I took it in I brought another Prestolite starter along in order to see if it could be swapped over & save the bucks. I don't remember everything but nothing was the same between the two, so I had to spring for the big bucks.

[BobWaitz]

You hit the nail on the head, Jack. I view starters as a long-term consumable. Too bad there isn't an easy conversion for stock engine/transmission pairings. Every year after Bonneville, we have to rebuild our starter because it locks up solid. The bellhousing adapter we use for the Muncie transmission needs a Studebaker starter! Why design and build a bunch of those only to use the one part I want to get rid of?! The bellhousing adapter for my truck (259 to 700R4) takes a F*rd starter that I can find at any auto parts store anywhere (Thanks, Frank & John!).

[PackardV8]

I did a gear drive mini starter conversion for my Packard V8 and the Stude version is available from some vendors.

The problem of different starter versions for auto and stick cannot be easily overcome. That plus the different bolts for stick flywheel and auto flexplate which cannot be easily changed were just brain-fade decisions by Studebaker Engineering.

jack vines

[GinettaG12P]

Jack, are you counting the unique R1/R2 starters?

What is different about the R1/R2 starters? My R2 starter is pretty weak and probably needs to be rebuilt. Are parts available for it? Thanks.

[Scott]

What was the last year you could start a Studebaker by hand? Wasn't it 1934 or something like that? Maybe 1938? I wonder if a straight 8 is easier to hand crank than a V8. I bet both are nearly impossible.

[kurtruk]

What was the last year you could start a Studebaker by hand? Wasn't it 1934 or something like that? Maybe 1938? I wonder if a straight 8 is easier to hand crank than a V8. I bet both are nearly impossible.

Look at the grille on 2R trucks. I think many trucks for Export were shipped with a crank.

[mapman]

Didn't the R2 just use a standard 2 field starter since it was low compression? I have one from a 4sp Avanti that only has the 2 fields. I couldn't say for sure if it was stock. I don't have my parts manuals handy.
Rob

[irish]

The 4 speed equipped cars have a different starter than the 3-speed/3-speed OD cars.

Joe

[PackardV8]

Does anyone have the tooth count on the flywheels for 6-volt and 12-volt. I remember something like 134 tooth and 160 tooth, but can't find the data.

jack vines