Hey guys, so I went to mount the starter motor yesterday. The motor lined up nicely, but the rod sticks out the back a good four inches or more? I hadn't thought of that. I have a cover plate for the back of the starter motor area on the hogs head, but not the front. I do not intend to hook up this starter motor since I don't have a bendix assembly yet. I just want to mount it to cover up the hole in the front of the hogs head. Do i have the wrong back plate? If so, does anyone know if I can remove the long rod of the starter motor, or where I can purchase the front cover plate? thanks in advance.
Matthew, why not just install the bendix cover?
Stephen
Langs has starter side block off plates.
http://www.modeltford.com/item/3383U.aspx
Stephen
Matthew, If you mount the starter you "must" mount the bendix cover. It looks like a small soup can. or do not mount the starter and use the flat plate, block off plates, for non starter cars. There is a square one for the starter side and a round one for the bendix side. That is really the only 2 options.
Lang's sells used starter block off plates, the site says call them for the price. If the price doesn't fit in your budget, since this is a temporary deal, my suggestion would be to cut a square piece of flat aluminum or steel, drill some holes, paint it black, and bolt it on with a gasket or just RTV.
http://www.modeltford.com/item/3383U.aspx
If you leave off the cover, as soon as you start the engine most of your oil will come out that hole. If you drive that way, your engine will seize up from lack of oil. Start the screw toward the pedals and then slide the cover over it. Use gaskets and sealer. then install the other three screws and tighten. Don't lose any of those screws because the thread is not available in the local hardware store.
Norm
There's IS one more option. You could cut the shaft off a $300 starter.
Take The armature out and plug the hole in the starter housing
Looks like somebody read this thread and put a cover plate up on T-bay for you:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Model-T-Ford-Starter-Block-Off-Plate-Starter-Speedster-/ 171424688574?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27e9b529be&vxp=mtr
When you get or make a cover plate you can leave the starter out permanently. It's so easy to hand start these cars even with a high compression head so you won't need any starter - it's just a heavy expensive piece of unnecessity.
Besides, exercise is good. You may need the starter when you're over 90 years old, so it's best to leave the ring gear in place on the flywheel, it's the hardest part of the starter system to put back in place.
Everybody loves to see you hand crank it - even if your T stalls in the middle of an intersection or a roundabout you'll find modern drivers are mostly helpful and understanding - if you can't push it aside yourself many will offer help.
Thanks for the responses guys. Looks like i'm going to have to hunt for a front block off plate or find a bendix cover. Just about the last of my parts needed to test start the car for the first time should be here in a couple hours (got to love Lang's fast shipping). If you want to see some pictures of my progress check out my post "photo update of my Model T build/project" or something like that.