Abstract: An electric motor having a reverse air flow cooling system that eliminates the need to extend lead wires past the fan. The electric motor includes a fan positioned on the lead-end of the motor to move air through a housing of the electric motor in a direction generally defined from the shaft-end of the motor to the lead-end of the motor. Lead wires can extend from the stator windings radially through the housing for connection to an electric start switch. The electric start switch can be positioned in a control box that is coupled to the housing. The electric start switch can be operable to remove an auxiliary circuit from a stator circuit after startup of the electric motor.