196 L starter question

Hi All,

I'm working on a 1960 Rambler American Wagon for a friend. I noticed the starter drive was occasionally lightly contacting the flywheel ring gear. Pulled it and the start gear is a little chewed but still starting the car fine. Upon pulling the starter apart I noticed that the actuator fork that slides the starter gear out is very worn, and most likely letting the gear slide out enought to sometimes hit the ring gear when driving. This can be heard too. The starter is an Autolite MEC 6002, and I'm having some problems finding parts for it. Found the gear from several vendors but no 'fork'.  I've seen that other starters have been used on this engine and some are still available new (GM type). Once again, this is a 196 flathead with a manual in a 1960 wagon. What starters will fit this car that I can just go buy? I've heard the bottom ends are the same on OHV engines too, so will those starters fit as well? The owner isn't so concerned with resto- correctness, just serviceability, though it is a nice straight wagon!


Thanks-

John


Edited by RedWagon1960 - Jul/28/2015 at 3:11pm

I have an autolite that I think will fit. PM me for a picture and details. Joe

The GM and Autolite starters for the 196 should interchange (L-head typically used an Autolite in the early years, later changed to Delco). They are wired differently though -- so check wiring diagrams if you swap them. I don't recall if the Autolite uses a fender mounted solenoid like typical Ford starters or not, it's been a long time since I ran an L-head with the Autolite starter. 

This Autolite starter has the solenoid on top with the pivot linkage going into the starter. That's the part that's worn-out- the fork end of the linkage inside the starter that slides the start gear in and out. I doubt even a rebuilder has a replacement and a weld &  grind fix would be pretty hard without another one to go by.
 
It has the 2 usual start circuit wires- one from the battery and one from the relay- very basic setup. Since the newer GM style starter is easier to get and a direct replacement I'll go with it and look at wiring.

Thanks all. I've been a Mopar restorer for 20+ years, but  dabble in lots of other makes. Worked on a 65 Rogue years ago, but someday I'm picking up one of those crazy 75 bug-eyed Matadors and doing something custom to it- I fell in love with those sexy lines...   But hey I'm a huge fan of '70 Dodge Coronets too so I'm used to taking flack from the car crowds!!!

I want to upload a pic of my friend's wagon but keep getting a 500 Server error page...

Prestolite starter