bendix keeps locking up on flywheel

[kwisor]

hello
on my 1930 model a the starter bendix keeps locking up on flywheel and i have to take starter off to get it loose. would a new modern bendix not do this or what do i need to look at. motor just rebuilt as long block
kevin
1930 model a tudor
1923 model t

[700rpm]

Possibly a bent shaft on your starter. Or possibly boogered up teeth on the ring gear. Or possibly a weak spring on your Bendix drive. I would not expect a modern Bendix to solve this problem. When the engine was rebuilt, was the ring gear replaced or at least rotated 90 degrees? Engines want to stop in the same position all the time, son the ring gear gets used a lot in one or two places.

You shouldn't have to R&R the starter when it sticks, though. Just put it in high gear and rock it back and forth; it should pop loose.

[Pete/Ct.]

The guys on the Early V8 side were having problems with the new type bendix as they were hanging up behind the flywheel. Pete/Ct

[2manycars]

Next time you have the starter off, check the teeth of the starter drive and the flywheel ring gear. As mentioned, a bent shaft from someone not retarding the spark will also cause this. When the starter is out, lay it on the bench and turn the shaft to see if it is bent. You may need to put a small square or a block of wood near the end to see the wobble if there is one.

[newshirt]

Have you tried rocking the car back and forth with the transmission in 3rd to dislodge it?

I used to have to do this, but somehow it got better. Now sure how but it did, so I don't have to do that anymore.

[jmeckel]

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I had this problem, the ring gear is not the best on mine, tried a rebuilt original style bendix, same problem, installed a new style and no problems for the last 1000 miles. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I've had great success with "TESTY" engaging starters by rubbing HEAVY grease on the flywheel teeth. Mixing WHITE LEAD with the grease is even better, if you can still buy WHITE LEAD??? Bill W.

[RichPA]

Mine did it one time, I found I forgot to retard the spark before starting it. Have you checked the timing? I also found the ring gear worn in the one area as mentioned when I pulled the engine recently.

[jmeckel]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

I've had great success with "TESTY" engaging starters by rubbing HEAVY grease on the flywheel teeth. Mixing WHITE LEAD with the grease is even better, if you can still buy WHITE LEAD??? Bill W.

Great idea, I think I have a old can of white lead to mix with the heavy wheel bearing grease. Will be giving it a try.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I did it numerous on old Jaguars with the inertia bendix like a Model A, even with teeth that were worn badly in 6 different locations. And it always worked, provided here were NO missing teeth! Ever replace the ring gear on an XKE? Engine & trans out through the BOTTOM!!! 16 hours, flat rate!! Bill W.

[supergnat]

I don't think you sould put any greas on the actual bendex assembly. Use only a light oil on that.
Supergant

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by supergnat

I don't think you sould put any greas on the actual bendex assembly. Use only a light oil on that.
Supergant

Right on, Superbug, sounds like you've been there! You mis-spelled Bendix.
When your starter jist goes WHIRRR, rap on the starter with a klub or a long bar & it'll engage! High-Tech Bill W.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I put Mystik JT-6 high temp grease on my flywheel teeth. It helps to give a quieter smoother engagment, .........BUT.......some of that grease will fly off and onto the starter drive helix. Then when the temp drops the pinion will stick in place and not engage, unless you click on the starter several times, or remove the starter and clean off the grease and give the helix just a thin coat of very light oil.

Be sure you have a straight stater shaft, a good Bendix spring, good pinion teeth and ring gear teeth and a good battery. With these things OK, I've never had a Bendix hang up. As mentioned, to unstick the Bendix just put the car in high gear and rock it forward.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I put Mystik JT-6 high temp grease on my flywheel teeth. It helps to give a quieter smoother engagment, .........BUT.......some of that grease will fly off and onto the starter drive helix. Then when the temp drops the pinion will stick in place and not engage, unless you click on the starter several times, or remove the starter and clean off the grease and give the helix just a thin coat of very light oil.

Be sure you have a straight stater shaft, a good Bendix spring, good pinion teeth and ring gear teeth and a good battery. With these things OK, I've never had a Bendix hang up. As mentioned, to unstick the Bendix just put the car in high gear and rock it forward.

I know that you have a "romance" with that pretty RED grease, but don't put GOBS in the teeth, just coat them with a brush. If some does blow off it'll just rust proof the inside of the housing. If a "BLIP" did fall on the helix, it would be dispelled by centrifugal force, (Mike K. can explain this term) I drilled a hole, (MERCY ME!) in my housing, so if helix ever got "STICKY" I could spray it with carb clearer and WD-40 (Or whatever Panther Pi** was handy) to un-gum it!
On one troublesome car, Chief drilled a hole (MERCY ME) on the R/F of the flywheel housing so he could turn the flywheel with A BIG screwdriver to unlock the starter. Shortcut Bill W.

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

. . . it would be dispelled by centrifugal force, (Mike K. can explain this term) . . .

No explanation necessary. The word explains itself! To wit:
Broken into etymological terms: centr / i / fug / al
prefix- centr = center.
connecting vowel- i
root- fug = fuge (def. to push away or flee)
suffix- al = (def. pertaining, characteristic of, or like)

You generally interpret words like this backwards- suffix, root, prefix.
thus, centrifugal = characteristic of push away or flee(from) center.
In context, centrifugal force is simply a force that pushes things away from the center. See. It explained itself!

And no, I won't get into the centrifugal vs. centripetal debate nor into an engineering physics explanation!

[Brentwood Bob]

You might also inspect the ring gear to see if it is seated to the flywheel or has walked off. Bob

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Brentwood Bob

You might also inspect the ring gear to see if it is seated to the flywheel or has walked off. Bob

Good point, Bob, and if it happens, you can usually drive them back on & you can even do a few spot welds to hold them there. May I go & have Blueberry/Cheese pie now? Bill W.

[Willie Krash]

Odd problem. Delco recommends not releasing the starter button or key until the engine fires (inertia and Folo-thru drives). As the flywheel speed increases faster than the armature the flywheel will cease to be driven and drive the bendix gear. This will force it out of the flywheel. Letting the button go to soon the armature spools down as the Bendix becomes driven.
The armature under power tho' moving slower than the flywheel should supply a smoother disengagement of the Bendix gear.

It's late her but I believe this is the rationale.

Now early Lucas had a square cut comm end armature shaft that one put a spanner on instead of rocking the car. I'm stating the obvious but it is surprising how many people don't know to remove the cap and rock the armature.

[Lowell Fast]

"remove the cap"

What does this mean?

[james hitchcock]

Are you running 6 or 12 volt ? While doing early work on my 31 I was using a 12volt battery. I was constantly taking the starter off because of lock up. With 6 volt never a problem.