Is there a 12 volt starter that would fit in a RDE-17 1955 Johnson 25 hp starter bracket?

[opposedtwin]

I’m guessing that’s from a 57 or 58 RDE. Not the RDS-20 from ’58, but rather the RDE-19C. From ’57, either the RDE-19 or the RJE-19 should work.

[Mumbles]

Are you sure one of those starters is 12 volt? I thought only the 6 volt ones came with the inspection band over the brushes.

[wyo307]

Yes I am positive the 4001 is a 12 volt starter and it came off of a 1957 RDE-19.

[Mumbles]

Something isn’t right as the MDH 4001M (OMC P/N 277432) starter shown mounted on the motor is a six volt starter. What’s the model number of the other starter?

[olcah]

I believe there are both large diameter six volt starters (cira 1954) and smaller diameter (later) six volt starters. I think that the bracket and starter that Wyo has is likely from a 1956 30 HP and the 4001 starter is a six volt.

[Mumbles]

Agreed. That MDH 4001M starter is also listed for a ’56 FD-10 fifteen horse Johnson, which is six volt.

[olcah]

I have a white bracket with a starter that is stamped on the body "Autolite MDO-4002M 12V". It has all the connections of Wyo’s bracket and the body is about 1/16" larger in diameter than the 4001 starters. Distance between the starter mounting bolts is similarly larger than for the 4001 starters

[outboardnut]

check out this thread -scroll all the way down
http://www.marineengine.com/boat-forum/showthread.php?8775-56-Johnson-30hp-Starter

[olcah]

At the end of the thread identified above: "Thanks for the all of the information everyone. I crossed referenced the Arco #5376 and it is 12 volt, so I am assuming that the original Auto-Lite starter was as well. "

I am thinking that the Arco 12 V starter would therefore fit in the bracket used for the 4001 (6V) starter. That would be convenient. I do believe that the 4001 starter is really 6V but 12V works no problem. Last summer I ran my 1956 Johnson 30 hp a lot using a 4001 starter and a 12 Volt battery. It worked perfectly.

The real question is do you have a bracket that fits whatever starter you have. I think I would just order the Arco and find out or alternately send measurements (including bolt spacing and body diameter) of the old starter to Arco. Maybe someone else has a better idea.

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