All mechanical engine compartment?

[Gordonmc]

The obvious drawback for me would be engine pre-heating.
I note the spring starter has a "cold start" position, but would that work in sub-zero temperatures?

 

[sailorman]

Am wondering if it's possible to find a bell housing for a Cummins 6bt with two holes for starters....

One doth believe you are getting too far under the bonnet

 

[Lakesailor]

Stick it on eBay. You may make a profit.

 

[MYStargazer]

The obvious drawback for me would be engine pre-heating.
I note the spring starter has a "cold start" position, but would that work in sub-zero temperatures?

East Start is the answer for emergencies only, I suppose. But without there being a mechanical pre-heat system in existence (???) this factor does start to relegate the spring starter to the status of emergency equipment.

Do pre-heaters draw much current? http://www.engineeringshock.com/12vdc-hand-crank.html

 

[macnorton]

East Start is the answer for emergencies only, I suppose. But without there being a mechanical pre-heat system in existence (???) this factor does start to relegate the spring starter to the status of emergency equipment.

Do pre-heaters draw much current? http://www.engineeringshock.com/12vdc-hand-crank.html

There are other method of start assisting a cold engine, a bit of oil down the intake or an oil soaked rag burnt at intake would work as would a quick squirt of brake cleaner or the dreaded Either.
The ISO bellhousings for industrial use quite often have two holes, if you are going to fit this I would use it for emergency's and keep the standard electrical system as once one is running it will provide the volts to get the second one going.
A lot of older sailboat/narrow-boat engines have a hand crank for use if the batteries are flat, not a bad idea to have a back-up.

 

[theoldsalt]

Also discussed in 2004.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?33010-Simms-spring-starter

 

[Lakesailor]

The point about spring starters is that they are mainly used for hazardous environments or for equipment that doesn't get regular use. The battery on a lifeboat may not be charged when you need it.
On the other hand keeping electrical starting may be the difference between, getting an engine running again after a problem when drifting onto a lee shore....and not.

Not being able to start the engine on a vintage tractor is not particularly life-threatening.

 

[MYStargazer]

Yes, I'm thinking this starter motor may be WD-40'd, put into a large ziplock bag, and mounted on an engine compartment bulkhead, in a holder, ready in case of emergencies.

I'd like to have one mounted on a spare starter motor mounting on the bellhousing, but it looks like no one ever made such a housing for a Cummins 6BT - in spite of all their many incarnations and uses.

 

[sailorman]

Yes, I'm thinking this starter motor may be WD-40'd, put into a large ziplock bag, and mounted on an engine compartment bulkhead, in a holder, ready in case of emergencies.

I'd like to have one mounted on a spare starter motor mounting on the bellhousing, but it looks like no one ever made such a housing for a Cummins 6BT - in spite of all their many incarnations and uses.

There isnt much call for them i guess

 

[macnorton]

SAE 3 twin starter bellhousing

Or try this marine one with three starter locations? http://www.saferwholesale.com/Genuine-Crusader-Bell-Housing-4-cyl-V6-V8-p/mmz-r142015.htm

Cant remember if the V8 is the same SAE

 

[MYStargazer]

SAE 3 twin starter bellhousing

Or try this marine one with three starter locations? http://www.saferwholesale.com/Genuine-Crusader-Bell-Housing-4-cyl-V6-V8-p/mmz-r142015.htm

Cant remember if the V8 is the same SAE

Thanks very much for that.

No idea if the Cummins 6BT has the same bolt pattern (are there standards for the engine-to-bellhousing interface?). The normal Cummins bellhousing-to-gearbox adapter plate is SAE2 (IRRC) but I'm going have these laser-cut to my own design anyway to incorporate 'ears' for mounting the engine and (BW) gearbox.

Turns out "twin starter pockets" are on option on the Perkins 6TG2AM https://www.perkins.com/cda/files/4349888/7/6TG2AM issue 4 New look & feel.pdf

 

[macnorton]

Once you get to industrial engines most are an SAE standard, I think the 6.354 is SAE 2? and lots of these had optional sides for starters.

 

[MYStargazer]

Once you get to industrial engines most are an SAE standard, I think the 6.354 is SAE 2? and lots of these had optional sides for starters.

That must be right. The bellhousing-to-gearbox adapter plate for a 6.354 fits straight on a Cummins bellhousing.

I'm just not sure about how standardised bolt patterns are as between the engine block and bellhousing (i.e. not the SAE measurements described here http://www.sbmar.com/articles/understanding_bellhousing_and_flywheel_measurements/)...

 

[macnorton]

Pretty sure they line up but check that one?
As you are making a backplate it would it matter?

 

[MYStargazer]

Pretty sure they line up but check that one?
As you are making a backplate it would it matter?

I think I'll have to check - there don't seem to be any standard patterns for the engine-to-bellhousing pattern.

Yes, it'll matter as I'm only making the plate for the other end of the bellhousing - the plate which joins the bellhousing to the gearbox.

 

[Lakesailor]

Speaking as someone who loves fiddling with engines, and made a engine to gearbox adaptor plate last year for my car, I can't help but think you are investing a lot of time and effort into a retrograde move.
If it was worthwhile, everyone would be doing it.