To use an open driveline, you must be using a '55 or newer tranny, and a 55-62 car or 48-62 truck bellhousing.
'54 and earlier trannies are for tourque tube applications only.
If you want to stay with a foot operated starter, then you will need to go with a 48-59 truck bellhousing.
6 and 12 volt starters and flywheels can't be mixed, as the number of teeth is different. But, either setup can be used on 12 volts. 55-59 trucks are the only place where you would find a 12 volt foot starter, should you want to go that route.
You need to identify what you have for parts before you go any further. Casting numbers should be useful with a Hollander interchange manual. If you don't have access to one, post the numbers here and somebody will try to look them up for you.
