My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: Lee on December 15, 2013, 12:50:48 PM

Title: Key start 3A
Post by: Lee on December 15, 2013, 12:50:48 PM: I did a search here first and came up with nothing, so a friend wants to key start his 3A, 1) I can find a supersonic starter. 2) I can modify a 2A starter with the correct tooth drive........So I would rather modify a 2A starter. Question, does anyone have a part number for the correct drive for a 2A starter to fit a 3A ring gear?, If so, I will document the conversion with photo's and post here for others interested in this.

Lee ;)
Title: Re: Key start 3A
Post by: Bob W on December 15, 2013, 04:22:55 PM: I've never heard of a starter drive that will convert a CJ-2A starter to operate with a 124 tooth ring gear. You could always change the CJ-3A ring gear to 97 teeth, but that's a real project. If you were going to take the time to change the ring gear it may be better to go with the late CJ-3A ring gear with 129 teeth and use the late CJ-3A key start starter. (Edit - forgot, the late starter will also require a different bellhousing too.) A Henry J starter would be the easiest solution but they are difficult to locate. I have seen the stock CJ-3A "kick start" starters modified to key start by adding a universal conversion solenoid that bolts onto the top of the starter. Unfortunately I do not have a source for the conversion solenoids.
Title: Re: Key start 3A
Post by: Lee on December 15, 2013, 05:43:12 PM: Bob, thank you for your input, if one were locate a starter drive for a henry J starter, would it not fit a 2A starter, I had a HJ starter and it looked identical to the 2A other than the solenoid....

Lee ;)
Title: Re: Key start 3A
Post by: Bob W on December 15, 2013, 06:10:58 PM: I've never tried to put a Henry J Bendix on a CJ-2A starter. The CJ-2A Auto-lite starter model MZ-4113 used Armature MZ-2089 with Bendix EBA-46. The Henry J Auto-lite starter model MZ-4163 used Armature MZ-2337 with Bendix EBA-39.
Title: Re: Key start 3A
Post by: garage gnome on December 15, 2013, 09:46:39 PM: Lee, did you look at this thread?

http://www.cj3apage.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1364858521/5
Title: Re: Key start 3A
Post by: Lee on December 15, 2013, 10:51:12 PM: Thank you Nate, Long time no hear, LOL hope all is well with you. I will do a little digging on this,,,,,,,and thank you Bob for the numbers, a great help.

Lee ;)
Title: Re: Key start 3A
Post by: Lee on January 29, 2014, 08:30:34 PM: Just a little update on this project, I spent some time at a long, used by me starter/alt shop today, I think we have come up with a 9T drive for the 2A starter, should be a bolt on deal, it's ordered!.

Lee ;)
Title: Re: Key start 3A
Post by: calvinhunt on January 30, 2014, 12:14:29 AM: Lee,
Please keep up posted on how your new starter idea works out.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Key start 3A
Post by: bretto on January 30, 2014, 08:25:45 AM: I've got Henry J starter MZ4163 9-tooth starter if anyone is looking for one.ï¿½ Needs a new rear and middle bushing.
Title: Re: Key start 3A
Post by: Mel Mca on January 19, 2022, 09:47:36 AM: I've been hounding the web trying to find a replacement MZ 4163 starter. The housing got broke!! If by a slim chance You still have that starter, I WANT IT!!! :)