BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Tnr555 on February 27, 2018, 12:34:39 PM

Title: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Tnr555 on February 27, 2018, 12:34:39 PM
Anyone know of any 12v left hand gear reduction starters for our 06?  Have looked everywhere and the LH does not seem to be an option?  Any ideas?? Thanks!
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: luvrbus on February 27, 2018, 12:38:19 PM
Sad but no one makes it, you will just have to deal with that heavy sucker in that tight spot  ???
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Tnr555 on February 27, 2018, 12:40:58 PM
Sad, but seemingly true from what we can see or could possibly find one made of unobtainium!!!!!
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: luvrbus on February 27, 2018, 12:54:37 PM
LOL I have searched manufactures for years looking for 1 with no luck and the manufactures are not interested in building one the couple I spoke with, no body builds a left handed engine any more only the GM people are blessed or other V drive owners     
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Templar52 on February 27, 2018, 02:14:16 PM
Gear réduction startor ? What is it ?
I have some 12 volts starters for Gmc bus v6 92 some  were. But gear reduction ??????
I don't know if thoses startor are also working for v8 engine left side rotation.
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: buswarrior on February 27, 2018, 02:55:26 PM
gear reduction starters came along too late.

Sadly, left turning engines were not worth paying attention to.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: chessie4905 on February 27, 2018, 03:13:11 PM
That is not that hard to access, at least in the buffaloes. There is a pretty big access hole in the firewall to change it. It looks like the breather will have be removed, but bolts are easily removed. Starter can then be moved to the right and out through the hole. After removing the mounting bolts and cables, of course. Hole looks to be approx. 16x20 inches.
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: luvrbus on February 27, 2018, 03:19:11 PM
Quote from: chessie4905 on February 27, 2018, 03:13:11 PM
That is not that hard to access, at least in the buffaloes. There is a pretty big access hole in the firewall to change it. It looks like the breather will have be removed, but bolts are easily removed. Started can then be moved to the right and out through the hole. After removing the mounting bolts and cables, of course. Hole looks to be approx. 16x20 inches.

I'll take a T drive any day for starter replacement,that friggn starter weighs 70lbs you are stuffing into that hole
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: chessie4905 on February 27, 2018, 03:27:00 PM
Yeah, 70 lbs is a lot heavier than it used to be when we were younger.
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Sunchaser Art on February 27, 2018, 04:02:38 PM
This is an interesting topic.  Back when, I used to reverse directions on starters by switching the brush polarity and changing the drives out.  I haven't looked into the 39MT's, but it they're magnetic field brush starters, and you can find a drive that'll turn that way, I'll bet a starter shop could modify one fairly easily.
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: luvrbus on February 27, 2018, 05:27:08 PM
Quote from: Sunchaser Art on February 27, 2018, 04:02:38 PM
This is an interesting topic.  Back when, I used to reverse directions on starters by switching the brush polarity and changing the drives out.  I haven't looked into the 39MT's, but it they're magnetic field brush starters, and you can find a drive that'll turn that way, I'll bet a starter shop could modify one fairly easily.


they are a wound starter just like a 42 ,the spiral splines on the armature,soft start feature and planetary gears prevent changing directions lol I wore out the bolts on mine trying to make it work     
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Utahclaimjumper on February 27, 2018, 05:48:00 PM
 Tnr555,,Does your 06 have an automatic or standard trans.??>>>Dan
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Bill Gerrie on February 28, 2018, 09:29:17 AM
I have looked as well and nothing is available. A friend of mine used one on his MCI as it is a right hand engine.
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: CrabbyMilton on February 28, 2018, 10:32:27 AM
Quote from: Templar52 on February 27, 2018, 02:14:16 PM
Gear réduction startor ? What is it ?
I have some 12 volts starters for Gmc bus v6 92 some  were. But gear reduction ??????
I don't know if thoses startor are also working for v8 engine left side rotation.

A gear reduction starter adds one or two gears to a direct drive starter. This allows the starter to use less current so it spins faster and deliver more torque since the gear reduce the speed and increase torque at the flywheel.
Virtually all cars and trucks have those type now.
CHRYSLER pioneered that design introducing it in 1962 for use on most of their cars and truck engines. You could always tell it was a CHRYSLER gear reduction starter since they had a very distinct sound. They used that design until 1987 then began using an outside vendor for starters that sounded just like any other gear reduction starter like other car and truck builders.
Some vehicles still offer direct drive types mostly for less cost but most prefer gear reduction.
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: luvrbus on February 28, 2018, 10:47:02 AM
The problem left turning GM people have find a MT39, is GM started doing away with left handed engines in the 90's when they introduced the R-V731 Allison there was no need for a left turning engine after that   
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: CrabbyMilton on February 28, 2018, 10:49:48 AM
Quote from: luvrbus on February 28, 2018, 10:47:02 AM
The problem left turning GM people have find a MT39, is GM started doing away with left handed engines in the 90's when they introduced the R-V731 Allison there was no need for a left turning engine after that   

I know I'm being fussy but GM no longer built buses nor diesel engines in the 1990's.
But DETROIT DIESEL did build engines. :)
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: luvrbus on February 28, 2018, 11:04:16 AM
No they didn't build buses but they were still selling the V drive to others lol a 2 stroke is a 2 stroke by any name ,I have valve covers that say GMC, General Motors Diesel and Detroit Diesel they all fit the same engine 
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: CrabbyMilton on February 28, 2018, 11:35:34 AM
Thanks I stand corrected on that.
I thought GM sold ALLISON back in the late 1980's bu it was 2007.
Regardless some names seem to stick for years.
Many people still call the WILLIS TOWER the SEARS TOWER even though SEARS hasn't owned it since 1988.
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Tnr555 on February 28, 2018, 06:51:15 PM
Sorry about the delay, we were out trying to find some unobtainium.....no luck!!!  lol  We have an automatic.  We found that same thing, no way, no how, NOT and will never be made....THE DOGS!!!!  lol

We found an easier way to remove the starter, remove the radiator (easy) and get it from the side, that heavy little sucker. 

We appreciate the help and interesting information, as always!!!!

Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Utahclaimjumper on March 01, 2018, 09:58:26 AM
 Another way is to lay a one X 6 or 8 across the trans and shove it out and back in that way..I have remove/replaced about a dozen of them and then don't get any lighter.>>>Dan
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Tnr555 on March 01, 2018, 08:35:53 PM
Thank you, did not know that little fact!  Always handy since it seems these little buggers need repair/replacing often.  So, since we are talking odd items, we replaced our original steering wheel with a smaller one, is there any market for the old steering wheel?  We will also have at least 1 set of valve covers extra after the Jakes are installed.  One set is with us on the road, the other at home in Montana.
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: luvrbus on March 02, 2018, 04:50:12 AM
Quote from: Tnr555 on March 01, 2018, 08:35:53 PM
Thank you, did not know that little fact!  Always handy since it seems these little buggers need repair/replacing often.  So, since we are talking odd items, we replaced our original steering wheel with a smaller one, is there any market for the old steering wheel?  We will also have at least 1 set of valve covers extra after the Jakes are installed.  One set is with us on the road, the other at home in Montana.

Did you get the Jake's from Kevin ?
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Tnr555 on March 02, 2018, 07:18:36 AM
We did!  Thank you so much for the lead.  Great guy, lots of experience.  Will be putting them on probably next week, hopefully!!!! 
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Lee Bradley on March 02, 2018, 10:04:32 AM
These guys can probably get you a left hand starter.  ;D

https://airstartersdirect.com/category/air-starters-for-detroit-diesel-engines/ (https://airstartersdirect.com/category/air-starters-for-detroit-diesel-engines/)
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Tnr555 on March 02, 2018, 10:06:49 AM
Thank you, will give them a call!
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: Friday1 on April 15, 2018, 04:21:13 PM
Luke had his rebuilder do a LH starter for me last Aug. Check with him at US Coach.
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: luvrbus on April 15, 2018, 05:41:06 PM
I had to replace a Kocsis Hydraulic starter on a 16v92 last week you want a expensive starter that sucker cost me 3 grand just for the starter,it was lite it only weighed 40 lbs  ($75.00 a lb) 
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: TomC on April 16, 2018, 08:30:41 AM
Yeah-and what powers the hydraulic starter? Either a big electric pump, or an expensive pressure collecting tank. Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Left hand 12v gear reduction starter
Post by: luvrbus on April 16, 2018, 08:42:25 AM
Quote from: TomC on April 16, 2018, 08:30:41 AM
Yeah-and what powers the hydraulic starter? Either a big electric pump, or an expensive pressure collecting tank. Good Luck, TomC

Yea and they have a hand pump for emergency use lol pump on that thing for hour and it will make you breathe hard