Forklift Issue

DRussell · Jun 7, 2022

I recently acquired an older forklift. It's a Yale, but I'm not sure of the model. Drive wheels are duals and are 7.50/15. It's powered by propane and has what I think is a small block Chevy V8 engine.

When I bought it the starter was off of it, but a new starter came with it. The previous owner would coast or pull it to start it. I want to use the starter. Directly above where the starter mounts are lines coming out for a remote oil filter. These lines are in the way for mounting the starter. One is coming out with a 90 degree elbow and the other is a 45 degree elbow.

The lines are at least 3/8 and might be 1/2 inch. I'm going to have to change the 45 elbow to a 90 at a minimum and might have to get smaller lines so there is room for the starter.

How small can I go with the lines for the remote oil filter on a small V8? Is 1/4 inch too small?

Bret4207 · Jun 7, 2022

(quoted from post at 09:16:04 06/07/22) I recently acquired an older forklift. It's a Yale, but I'm not sure of the model. Drive wheels are duals and are 7.50/15. It's powered by propane and has what I think is a small block Chevy V8 engine.

When I bought it the starter was off of it, but a new starter came with it. The previous owner would coast or pull it to start it. I want to use the starter. Directly above where the starter mounts are lines coming out for a remote oil filter. These lines are in the way for mounting the starter. One is coming out with a 90 degree elbow and the other is a 45 degree elbow.

The lines are at least 3/8 and might be 1/2 inch. I'm going to have to change the 45 elbow to a 90 at a minimum and might have to get smaller lines so there is room for the starter.

How small can I go with the lines for the remote oil filter on a small V8? Is 1/4 inch too small?

It sounds to me like either someone got the wrong starter or they replaced the lines with something incorrect. Can the remote filter be moved? Maybe it's not original or not in the correct location?

Keith True · Jun 7, 2022

It sounds like he bought a starter for a typical small block Chevy,and not for the industrial application.Some of the industrial and marine applications have the solenoid hanging below the starter,not over the top of it.Does the starter bolt straight upward with two bolts? Or,does it have three bolts going rearward into the bellhousing.

BarnyardEngineering · Jun 7, 2022

Sometimes the starter can be "clocked" on the mount.

Determined · Jun 7, 2022

1- Being that it has a small block Chevy engine there are more bits and pieces affordably priced for it than you can imagine.
If you do a search for SBC oil filter relocate kit you can find ones with every imaginable configuration for the lines to come out of.

2-If you look up a starter for say a 1996 GMC 1/2 ton it is a small body starter, there is a chance the smaller starter might clear the lines the way they are.

DRussell · Jun 7, 2022

The starter has three bolts going into the bellhousing. I'll look into a smaller starter. That might end up being the easiest fix.

DoubleO7 · Jun 7, 2022

So the starter is on driver side of engine/tranny??
Where the oil filter would be on a SBC?

DRussell · Jun 7, 2022

Where the remote filter is isn't a problem...it's the lines coming out of the engine to the remote
filter that are the problem.

The starter does not have the solenoid mounted on it. The solenoid is remotely mounted with one
wire down to the starter.

wore out · Jun 7, 2022

A photo would help. A typical sbc has the oil filter and cooler lines on the LH side and the starter on the opposite (RH), so you either have something else or an odd industrial bell housing that puts the starter on the same side as the filter and lines.

As to downsizing the lines, I wouldn't even consider it.

DRussell · Jun 7, 2022

Correct, the starter mounts directly under where the lines come out of the block to the remote filter.

The engine is mounted backwards on the forklift, but if mounted normally in a car/truck the starter would be on the drivers side.

DRussell · Jun 7, 2022

I'll try to get a picture, but can't till later this afternoon, or tomorrow.

DoubleO7 · Jun 7, 2022

Never seen a SBC with starter on the driverside in a car or truck.

DRussell · Jun 7, 2022

First picture is the left side of the engine in the forklift. Would be the right side in a vehicle.

Second picture is the right side in the forklift, would be the left or driver's side in a vehicle. The starter is on this side.

Ignore the duplicate picture.

DRussell · Jun 7, 2022

Picture of the starter partially mounted. I can't tighten the bolts without jacking it up against the oil lines.

Determined · Jun 7, 2022

Looking at your picture of the starter, it is of a very application specific design and style, finding a small body starter to replace it would not be easy as it is not a common automotive design.

Sorry for getting your hopes up, your best bet would be changing to different angle fittings.

I would not go less than 1/2 on size.

redtom · Jun 7, 2022

Im confused, how was the original starter in there? Did he provide a fatter starter? How hard are you going to use the forklift? If its just for your yard and shop use, occasionally, I wouldn't worry about downsizing the lines. Its not like you're going to run it solid for an 8 hour shift. Heck, I have things I use a few times a year and haven't changed oil in them for years.

DRussell · Jun 7, 2022

Good questions. I don't know how the original one was in there. I bought it off of FB Marketplace. The starter was not in it, it came with a new starter that he said was the same size as the original. The original was returned for a core charge. I can only take his word for that. I do know that putting this one it partially crushes the oil lines.

I will only occasionally use the forklift, probably not more than 30-45 minutes at a time.

I took the starter to a local shop that rebuilds starters and alternators. They said they do not know of a smaller replacement, but said they will try to do some research.

The gear on this one is 10 tooth. The three bolt mounting pattern on it is the same as a 99-03 7.3 powerstroke, in that it will bolt up to a ZF6 transmission bellhousing I have here for that year of powerstroke engine. The gear on the powerstroke is a 12 tooth though, so I doubt that starter would work. I plan to ask the local starter shop about this though tomorrow.

Hobo,NC · Jun 7, 2022

Does the 3rd bolt go in from the front are back.

T.R.K. · Jun 7, 2022

It looks like your Chevy engine has been Frankensteined into the Yale. That plate between the engine and bellhousing that is just inboard of the starter makes me think that.

Some thoughts:

Is there any chance there is a hole in the bell housing on the opposite side so you can use a regular Chevy starter? The later ones bolt to the lower side of the block with two long bolts.

I have seen this on a racing engine: About 30 years ago in a racing magazine, they had plumbed for the remote oil filter using fittings directly out the side of the Chevy block rather than using an adapter in the normal oil filter base on the block. I don't know all the particulars on this, just in the picture it looked neat on an engine stand. I don't know if there are plugs in the holes in the side of the block for this or if they were machined in by the racing shop.

DRussell · Jun 8, 2022

All three go in from the back.

DRussell · Jun 8, 2022

I'll look when I get home, but I don't remember seeing a hole on the other side of the bellhousing.

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