L-head Starter Spotters Guide?

Hi folks,

I picked up a 1950 3A (according to the serial info) and it is missing the starter. Just looking through the Kaiser catalog I see there’s the early and later styles. Is there an obvious way to tell which one is needed by looking at the bellhousing? Thinking this jeep might be in a transition period. Or if possible I could probably get a Toyota starter locally.

I suppose if it has a hole in the firewall for the starter bendix pedal, that would be the biggest clue?

Thanks guys!

 

The starters, bell housing, and flywheel ring gear differ between the Cj2A and CJ3A, so the starters are not interchangeable. A picture of the bell housing might help, but the best thing would be to count the teeth on the ring gear before buying a starter. It is a PITA to do it, but if you remove the spark plugs, mark a tooth, and turn the engine with a wrench on the crankshaft nut you can count the teeth.

The little HI-Torque starters are available for whichever ring gear you have and they perform very well.

 

I think I figured it out. Early style has the pretty obvious casting with a bigger bump for the starter to fit. Later style is just the more basic “cone” shape. Unfortunately I have the early style so no cheap ‘n easy Landcruiser starter for me.