Correct Connection of Starter Brushes

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Topic author
OilyBill
Posts: 552
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:51 pm
First Name: William
Last Name: May
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout
Location: Tucson, Arizona

Correct Connection of Starter Brushes

Post by OilyBill » Tue Jun 08, 2021 8:06 pm

Putting a starter together after overhaul.
Do the starter field leads attach to the INSULATED set of brush holders?
Or the HOT SET of brush holders?
Logic tells me that the field coil leads should attach to the INSULATED brush holders, thus making the electrical path FROM the main terminal, to the insulated brush holders, thence through the armature (turning the armature) and then from there out the GROUNDED brush holders, and out the case to the ground on the engine/starter machined face. Is t his correct?
I have watched a few videos on the subject, but the guy never addresses this, and he has his hand over whatever he is discussing, so it is not possible to see what's going on.


Ron Patterson
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Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Correct Connection of Starter Brushes

Post by Ron Patterson » Tue Jun 08, 2021 8:18 pm

The Model T starting motor field winding pigtails are connected to the insulated brush holders.
Ron Patterson


Dan Hatch
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Location: Alabama
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Re: Correct Connection of Starter Brushes

Post by Dan Hatch » Tue Jun 08, 2021 9:41 pm

Ford Service manual tells how to do anything you want to do to a Model T.


Topic author
OilyBill
Posts: 552
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:51 pm
First Name: William
Last Name: May
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout
Location: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Correct Connection of Starter Brushes

Post by OilyBill » Tue Jun 08, 2021 10:27 pm

Thank you, Ron.
Dan: Unfortunately, the Model T Maintenance Manual is printed so small, that most of the pictures are nearly useless. If they ever reprint it, I hope whoever does it takes better pictures, and prints it in 8.5 X 11 size. It would then be far more useable than it is now.


Dan Hatch
Posts: 4142
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:31 pm
First Name: Dan
Last Name: Hatch
Location: Alabama
MTFCA Number: 49974

Re: Correct Connection of Starter Brushes

Post by Dan Hatch » Wed Jun 09, 2021 3:53 am

Find an original one or the first reprint. They are on eBay often.


Topic author
OilyBill
Posts: 552
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 3:51 pm
First Name: William
Last Name: May
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Runabout
Location: Tucson, Arizona

Re: Correct Connection of Starter Brushes

Post by OilyBill » Wed Jun 09, 2021 11:34 pm

I just ordered the cleaned up, large size reprint. It should be much more legible.

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