Slightly mechanically inclined woman has questions about her late 1957 D14.

[DaniJean52]

So husband and I split, he takes the Massey which I absolutely love and helped rebuild from ground up. Left me with the D14 that he never could get running correctly, kept eating starters. So I decided to learn what I could and see about getting it back up and running cause I have a lot of acreage in dire need of bushhogging. I have the manual, have the specs printed from right here on YT and three garbage starters to go by. So I am reading manual, reading forum posts on here, learning all I can when I realize every starter he put on it says 12 volt and does not match the numbers I have for the starters that fit this tractor. It is factory everything from what I can tell, has generator, not alternator, which if I am correct, means that that is most likely the reason it kept ruining starters. But before I sink the $260 into a correct starter and buy a new battery for it, I wanted some input from experts, or at least who know more than I do. First, I want to be 100% sure that I am correct about it having the generator, that is has not been converted to a 12 volt and then once that is verified, what next? Although I have read a 12 volt battery is okay it will just spin the starter faster, should I go that route or not, which is really the best option? So I am going to try to attach some pics and see what input I can get. Is a closerup pic needed?

 

[Jim.ME]

Welcome to the forums.

A 1957 D14 would have been a 6-volt system originally. Check for a tag on the generator, it may have been converted to a 12-volt generator. I have had several D14s that were converted to 12-volts with alternators. The original 6-volt starters remained in them with no issues, using 12-volts. Is it breaking starter drives, or what happens to the starters?

 

[DrAllis]

Many do not know this fact: if it was originally a factory 6-volt system, the ring gear on the flywheel has a different tooth count than a later factory 12-volt system ring gear does. The 6 volt starter has a different Bendix gear tooth count too. You may convert an older 6-volt tractor to 12-volts (generator/lights/ignition/battery) but you MUST keep the 6-volt starter because of the ring gear tooth count on the flywheel !!!!

 

[4wdtom]

Dr. Allis, your knowledge is so extensive, great, and impressive, you have helped so many.

 

[Duner Wi]

Here are some #s, generator 6 volt 1107025, generator 12 volt 1100305 1107345
Starter 6 volt 1107466, starter 12 volt 1107695 . My book says 57 and 58 were 6 volt. 1959 started 12 volt. I don't know at what serial number.

 

[Jim.ME]

Delco Remy tags generally had a black background for 6 volt units. Red was used on 12 volt tags

 

[DaniJean52]

Welcome to the forums.

A 1957 D14 would have been a 6-volt system originally. Check for a tag on the generator, it may have been converted to a 12-volt generator. I have had several D14s that were converted to 12-volts with alternators. The original 6-volt starters remained in them with no issues, using 12-volts. Is it breaking starter drives, or what happens to the starters?

Thanks, Jim.ME, your answers were actually the most helpful and most contextually close to what I was asking and needed. I saw someone give me a list of starters (already have that) As far as what it was doing to them, in looking at them, I see one that the teeth are just chewed up and then another the housing at the front broke (although that part is replaceable, duh)

Whoever tried to restore this tractor painted the generator, so I am going to try to see if I can find a tag on it and see what it may say. I tried to trace the ground because I knew that it would be a positive and not a negative, but I'll admit I had no luck in that. This tractor would be an electrician or any other "wiring person" 's worst nightmare, what a mess and nest of wires going all over the place. LOL

Dr. Allis, I did know this, but thanks, I knew I would be using a 6v starter for sure, but I also did want some input if it looked like this had been converted to a 12 volt (and if needed, could have added a closer pic), but my next question was is it imperative that I also use a 6volt battery, which is the best way to go is what I wondered?

Duner WI, only one of those numbers match what this tractor needs, the 1107466. The correlating numbers for 6v are also 1107472, 1107474, 323-95, and 91-01-4446.

So Jim, I will try to check the tag on the alternator, that's my first adventure. But let's say I do find it has not been converted to 12volt (which is my assumption at this point anyway), then the only question remains about the battery and what I should do there? I don't mind going either way, but what are the pros and cons either way? I read some cons of staying with the 6v, but there are also a couple cons of using a 12 volt, so that's why that question is my next and last.

Thanks, all, for the input.

 

[DrAllis]

You may use a 12 volt battery on a 6 volt starter. You must stay with the 6 volt starter because of the starter bendix teeth count and flywheel ring gear teeth count. You CANNOT use a 12 volt starter against a 6 volt flywheel ring gear. The engine won't even turn over, but locks up because of the mismatch in gear teeth.

 

[Jim.ME]

Thanks, Jim.ME, your answers were actually the most helpful and most contextually close to what I was asking and needed. I saw someone give me a list of starters (already have that) As far as what it was doing to them, in looking at them, I see one that the teeth are just chewed up and then another the housing at the front broke (although that part is replaceable, duh)

Whoever tried to restore this tractor painted the generator, so I am going to try to see if I can find a tag on it and see what it may say. I tried to trace the ground because I knew that it would be a positive and not a negative, but I'll admit I had no luck in that. This tractor would be an electrician or any other "wiring person" 's worst nightmare, what a mess and nest of wires going all over the place. LOL

Dr. Allis, I did know this, but thanks, I knew I would be using a 6v starter for sure, but I also did want some input if it looked like this had been converted to a 12 volt (and if needed, could have added a closer pic), but my next question was is it imperative that I also use a 6volt battery, which is the best way to go is what I wondered?

Duner WI, only one of those numbers match what this tractor needs, the 1107466. The correlating numbers for 6v are also 1107472, 1107474, 323-95, and 91-01-4446.

So Jim, I will try to check the tag on the alternator, that's my first adventure. But let's say I do find it has not been converted to 12volt (which is my assumption at this point anyway), then the only question remains about the battery and what I should do there? I don't mind going either way, but what are the pros and cons either way? I read some cons of staying with the 6v, but there are also a couple cons of using a 12 volt, so that's why that question is my next and last.

Thanks, all, for the input.

I expect it was a typo, however I will mention your tractor picture shows a generator, not alternator.

Either 6-or-12-volt will work. If the 6-volt system and battery are good, it will start and run fine. A 12-volt system will have issues if it is not right. Getting a good 6-volt battery can be an issue as some places have low turnover, 12-volt battery options are greater. 12-volt can be boosted or can be used to boost another 12-volt system. Boosting a 6-volt battery with 12 volts is a risk of explosion.

My D14's have been converted to alternators (10SI Delco type). The only starter problem encountered has been when some (seasonal hired help) not letting the starter stop after it kicked out before hitting it again, broke a couple noses that way.

You should check the teeth on the ring gear. If they are damaged it will affect the starter.

Here are a couple clues to whether it is positive or negative ground. The negative post on a battery is generally a bit smaller than the positive one. So, the Negative cable clamp will be slightly smaller than the positive one. The wire from the ignition switch to the coil will be in the - terminal and the wire to the distributor will be on the + terminal.

The original 6-volt positive ground battery cables on mine were short and connected to one of the hood center bar bolts, right above the batteries.