Allis B autolite starter question
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=207852
Printed Date: 21 Aug 2025 at 4:04am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Allis B autolite starter question
Posted By: cjallis
Subject: Allis B autolite starter question
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2025 at 4:29pm
| Is there supposed to be a plate or contact on the outside of the starter where the solenoid is mounted? I don't have one but starter rebuild company says there is or should be. |
Replies:
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2025 at 4:53pm
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there should be a copper LUG on the side of the case about an inch from the back plate... or there will be a STUD put in that location.... Somehow the wire on the INSIDE has to be connected to an INSULATED terminal on the outside.
originally it probably had a MANUAL switch like this... If you rmove the switch you will see a brass button on the case, and a threaded hole on each side to mount the switch... If you want a SOLENOID, the button has to be changed to a STUD by the Rebuilder.  ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: cjallis
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2025 at 7:27pm
| I guess I'm confused. My starter came originally with the push style lever or solenoid like the one you have shown its mounted using 2 small screws onto the starter and there is a stud on the back side that the wiring harness is connected to. I don't ever recall seeing a plate underneath the starter switch. I think he's wrong. |
Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2025 at 7:46pm
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The AUTO-LITE starters are different from the DELCO starters. The DELCO ones have a copper button for the mechanical switch to contact. An AUTO-LITE starter will have a threaded post with a nut that hold a copper strap with a raised point on the other end from the hole foe the stud for the mechanical switch to contact. If you wish the use an electrical energized solenoid, just remove the copper contact strip. If you want to stay with the original style mechanical switch on an AUTO-LITE starter the popular DELCO switch will not work without a modification. The AUTO-LITE switchs are scarce. The only place I've found them is from the Brillman company. http://www.brillman.com" rel="nofollow - www.brillman.com or 1-888-274-5562 ------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: cjallis
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2025 at 10:27pm
|
Thanks for the info. I don't have that strip now or ever. Now I'm not sure it is an Autolite starter although it looks like there was some kind of strip on at one time. Hopefully I can make it work and keep it as original as possible.
Does anyone know what percent rolled off the line with autolite starters vs delcos? Did autolite make generators for Allis as well? |
Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2025 at 7:24am
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Yes: Allis Chalmers did also install Auto-Lite generators as OEM equipment. If the starter was Auto-Lite the generator also was. The same goes for all the other outsourced items like tires, rims and other things Everything was supposed to match. ------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: Kip-Utah
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2025 at 12:38pm
From what I've observed it seems evident that Delco was the primary supplier of starters & generators to A-C and Auto-Lite was a fill in secondary supplier. It was the same with FM magnetos vs Wico mags. A-C apparently used these secondary suppliers to supplement what they got from their primary sources. It also probably kept pricing more reasonable by not putting all of their eggs in one basket ------------- HANSEN'S OLD ORANGE IRON. Showing, Pulling, & Going!! |
Posted By: Eric B
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2025 at 4:18pm
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My '48 B came with the Autolite starter when I bought it. Just a stud with a nut that the 'fat' battery cable was attached to. It had the very common separate 12V solenoid (like all older Fords had). All that was needed was a small push button switch to activate the starter-solenoid. When the bushings became too worn in the Autolite I installed a Delco starter and had to install the rod that you kick with your foot, the heavy duty switch is like the one in the picture that Steve posted. The down side of the small 'Ford style' solenoids is that they can get stuck and not let go, leaving the starter spinning until it either the solenoid contacts let's go or you disconnect the battery. ------------- Currently- WD,WC,3WF's,2 D14's B. Previously- I 600,TL745,200,FL9,FR12,H3,816 LBH. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal! |
Posted By: cjallis
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2025 at 6:08pm
|
Thanks for all the info. Does anyone have photos of their Delco and autolite starter connected? My B has an original DR generator and What I thought was an original autolite starter or vice versa. Since my B came with the push rod lever style starter I'm assuming the autolite starter was not original and someone replaced the DR with an autolite. Now I'm baffled if the starter ever worked or how it could. Thoughts? |