Ford Solenoid Hot Start installation instructions, Mark Henry's method Options

[Mark Henry]

Because this comes up so often I decided to make a tutorial on how I install the Ford solenoid.

The Ford solenoid fixes the common hot start problem of Bosch starter solenoid and it also reduces the load on the ignition switch. Although these instructions are for the 914 all aircooled VW's and Porsche often suffer from this problem and with minor changes this can be done to any car.

The issue occurs because the Bosch starter solenoid needs a full 9 volts to kick in. The combination of age, heat, corrosion, many connectors, a small ignition switch and wiring running to the dash and back can degrade the volts to less than the 9V required.
The Ford solenoid only needs about 3 volts for the 12V version and even less for the 6V which for our purpose works no problem.

My installation drills no holes in the car, not a single factory wire is cut, no in-line fuses, fully reversible and simple with no added bullshit.

Please this is not a discussion on if you prefer the wimpy (IMO) Bosch horn relay, want to cut and hack in a new wire or believe throat singing Vajrayana chants is a better method, start you're own thread.

Of course as with any electrical trouble shooting the first order of business is always clean all of your grounds and make sure the chassis to transmission ground strap is in place and in good condition.

I'll start right away with the money shot of the completed installation to show how clean this can be done.

[Mark Henry]

This is a Ford solenoid very common fender mounted unit available up to 1967 in a 6 volt one small post version and up to the end of the 80's as a 12 volt 2 small post unit.
I recommend the type that has the bracket, the ones with the tabs are a PITA as you have to make a bracket.

This one is a used and 12V, but is nice because it is a made in USA solenoid. Now all the new ones are made in china. One person said they had a china made unit fail, but I've personally never seen it.
I've only ever had one fail in close to 30 years of doing this and that was due to corrosion after 8 years of hard winter driving.