58 cab starter

[Mark Dinsdale]

Does anyone know if this is the correct starter for a 59 cab built Oct 58? The part of the casting that’s circled hits the transmission case so it will not mount correctly. The piece it hits is the top step. I only noticed this when I mounted the engine.

Thanks
Mark

[Vic Skirmants]

Looks correct. I don't understand where it is hitting the trans case.
I don't want to insult you, but I have seen people mount the starter with the solenoid all the way over.

[Martin Benade]

Can it be rotated 180 degrees?

[Vic Skirmants]

Yes it can; makes it difficult. When I get out to the shop later I will try an early starter on a trans and see if that was the problem.

[Mark Dinsdale]

Hum…. Maybe I’m having a brain fade moment. When I got the car it was mounted with the solenoid at the top which is virtually impossible to get to the connections. I tried to reinstall it the same way and maybe that’s the issue?

[Martin Benade]

Aren’t some VW starters made with the solenoid in a less- or un-workable clocking?

[Vic Skirmants]

Hum…. Maybe I’m having a brain fade moment. When I got the car it was mounted with the solenoid at the top which is virtually impossible to get to the connections. I tried to reinstall it the same way and maybe that’s the issue?

Yep; that's your problem. I just test-fitted a late and early starter to a trans case. The late one almost clears; the early one like yours has a serious interference.
Martin; the VW solenoid does not cause problems.

[Mark Dinsdale]

Perfect, thanks guys

I will fit it tonight or over the weekend and confirm all is well.

[Martin Benade]

So I am confused, Vic said both starters can’t fit due to hitting the trans case. Is that because they were 180 degrees off?

[Jim Liberty]

Just a note, I prewire the starter before I put it in place. Battery disconnected of course. ................Jim.

[Al Zim]

A) since time began (before WW2) starter location has remained the same on the transmission. It would suffice to say this works for all air cooled production cars and some water cooled cars. B) You have a starter that is designed to fit the 356 Correctly. DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: The floor below the rear window has been dented down closing the space needed for the starter. Remove the right rear wheel with a long 2 by 4 pivot on the top of the transmission and push the floor up. I have never done this repair because you are the first person with this situation. Call me if you need to 800.356.2964 Al Zim **** You answered your own question by stating that the floor has been replaced...your predicament is caused by the floor not being correctly installed. 2022*11*19

[Mark Dinsdale]

Thanks Al, the floor was replaced and so that’s not an issue. No battery in the car yet.

Thanks
Mark

[Vic Skirmants]

So I am confused, Vic said both starters can’t fit due to hitting the trans case. Is that because they were 180 degrees off?

Bingo!

[Patrick Ertel]

Aren’t some VW starters made with the solenoid in a less- or un-workable clocking?

Yes, on the Speedsters I have owned the solenoid on the VW starter hits the bottom of the rear seat pan. This might also be true of cabs and roadsters, but not coupes. Looking at the starter from the closed end, the VWs have the solenoid mounted at about the 11 o'clock position and the Porsche starters have it at about 10 o'clock. I used VW bus starters on coupes, per a suggestion from Mike Robbins. He used them in his '58 Speedster, but I'm not sure how. Maybe late Speedsters have slightly different pans in that area than early ones? As I recall, bus starters are .6 hp and bug starters are .5hp.

[Jay Darlington]

Just a note, I prewire the starter before I put it in place. Battery disconnected of course. ................Jim.

NOW there's a good idea!!! if the wires are long enough.
Jay D.