Starter runs, bendix does not engage

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Starter runs, bendix does not engage
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 08:25 pm:

Starter was working fine, heard no strange noises, and the next starting attempt, the bendix would not engage. I have read a lot of threads on starters but have not removed or repaired one. The car came into my possession without a mag. Looking for words of wisdom. It is the same car that I recently was seeking help with a fuel delivery problem. In fact I had just placed a lawn mower gas tank on the dash and was attempting to start it to see if the car ran with a gravity fuel supply.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 08:45 pm:

On the back side of the hogs head to the left of the pedals there is a cover shaped like a cylinder. It is held in place by 4 screws. Remove the screws, and do not lose them. They have a very odd thread and are hard to find replacements. Remove this cover and you will find the bendix. There is a coil spring on it with a bolt which has a tab which is bent to hold the bolt from turning. Take out the bolt toward the end of the shaft and remove the part which the bolt went through. It can usually be removed by hand or by a light tapping. You will find a small woodruff key shaped like a half moon. Save this key. and when you remove the bolt, the entire bendix assembly should come off. The usual cause of the problem you describe is broken bolt, broken spring or other broken part. Be careful not to drop anything into the crankcase. Once you determine which part is broken you can order the correct part or parts to repair. Note if you replace the bolts, some of the ones available have thicker heads and will need to be ground down or they will rub on the bendix cover. While the bendix is off you can push the starter button to see if the starter spins alright. It will just spin, without the bendix, but you will know that is is working. When you re-install the cover, put a little gasket sealer around the gasket surfaces. that is one of the places that oil is prone to leak if not completely sealed.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Aldrich Orting Wa on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 08:53 pm:

I would encourage you to remove the screws at 12, 6, and 9 o'clock (looking forward from the rear of the car) but only loosen the screw at 3 o'clock (closest to the hogs head). The Bendix cover will come off while leaving that one screw "loose". Re-installing the screw at 3 o'clock is TOUGH to say the very least!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Monday, July 30, 2012 - 09:58 pm:

Thanks Norman and John. I have worked on those screws. Was a lot of oil lost because they would not stay tight. The previous owner drilled the head on each screw and I ran wire through each of them. There was recently a thread on using a small washer and then a small lock washer under each of them. I will try that when I get to that stage. If they don't stay tight I will rewire them. Thanks on the procedure. Being there is no mag, I was planning to remove the starter from the engine side but it sounds like I need to leave it in place and remove the bendix cover.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - 12:11 pm:

If the only problem is in the bendix, there is no need to remove the starter. But if it will not spin, then you will need to pull the starter and either change it or rebuild it.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 06:20 pm:

Found broken bendix spring near the inner part of the spring. Got the two bolts out. They were not very tight. Is there any reason to take the parts off the shaft that the bolts screw into? They look good. How tight are the bolts when I reinstall? The inner part under the spring turns freely on the starte shaft. I presume the outer part has the woodrift key under it. Looks like the end of the bolt that went into that part was against the starter shaft.
Thanks for the input. The Forum has provided me with a lot of useful information. I was in college and then settled 120 miles from my Dad who even while he was in the nursing home before he left us, answered a lot of calls from those that needed advise. Wish I could have been closer so I could have learned more from him.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 06:41 pm:

Just replace the spring and the tab washers. Install the cover with a bit of your favorite brand of gasket sealant. Check those screws every time you change oil to be sure they are still tight.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Danuser on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 06:52 pm:

Harry if you don't have the parts call I'm close danuser88@ktis.net I have the new parts in my parts trailer


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 07:36 pm:

OK John. You have an email with items I want. Wish I was going to our Jefferson City office. I would just stop and get them.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By CharlesHebert on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 07:48 am:

Harry...make sure you bend the tabs on the washer that holds the spring.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Huson, Berthoud, Co. on Thursday, August 02, 2012 - 09:17 am:

Harry Daw:

If you are running 12 volts you may want to order some spare parts from John. Some of the guys that run 12 volts switch to a Model A spring.

picture


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By HARRY A DAW on Monday, August 06, 2012 - 09:18 pm:

John got me the parts next day. Put them on this afternoon and things seem to be ok. My auxiliary lawn mower gas tank that I am using for gravity feed instead of the tank under the bed and using a fuel pump really made a difference. It runs better than it ever has since I have had it. In the short run I made after fixing the starter, I could run most of the time with the Warford in 3'd. May be leaning toward a fuel cell in the bed behind the seats. A 5 gal cell is 13"x13"x8" and might be safer than a regular tank.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Danuser on Monday, August 06, 2012 - 09:53 pm:

Thanks Harry and Dave.


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration