New style starter bendex???

[CWPASADENA]

Hi folks,

I have been under the impression that the "new" style Bendix starter drive is better and more reliable then the original Bendix design.

Now in just the past few days, I have heard of two cases where the "New" style bendix has failed and locked up with the ring gear to the point that it is just about impossible to get things apart.

I am about ready to re-build my starter and I have bought one of these "New" drives and am now I am thinking about if I should use it or not.

Is the "New" style better or should I stay with the original design????

Thanks in advance for your opinions,

Chris

[MCHinson]

In about 20 years, I have never had a problem with an original, so I never thought about changing to a new design. If it is not broke, why try to fix it?

[Michael in Sedona]

I have the new type on each of my '29s, and have had no problems. In my opinion, the starter gear freezing on the ring gear could happen with either an original bendix or the new barrel type. The problem with locking onto the ring gear seems to be that the ring gear teeth are damaged or even missing. Since the engine willtypically come to a stop in one of only 4 places on the ring gear, it stands to reason that every 90 degrees on the ring gear there will eventually be damaged teeth.

I have experienced that problem with one of my cars, and the immediate fix is fairly easily solved by putting the car in 3rd gear and rocking it backwards, thus causing the engine to rotate in reverse and freeing up the locked starter gear.

The big advantage, in my humble mind, to the new type drive is that there is no bendix spring to break.

But, like with everything in life, I could be wrong.

[Kurt in NJ]

I have had no problems in 35 years, I used new bolts, and locking tab washers ---if you use worn loose bolts, and reuse the lock tab washers, and have a damaged ring gear you will have problems. ---the drive I got out of the trash at Hershey.

[Jim Parker Toronto]

I think I remember hearing that there was two manufacturers of this item. Maybe you got one of the offshore ones.....

[CWPASADENA]

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I think what I am going to do is to NOT use the "New" style Bendix. I do not know where the one I have was manufactured.

I have had old fords for more then 50 years and can count on one hand (and still have some fingers left) the number of times I have had a bendix lock up. The few times it has happened, I have just rocked the car and went on my way. More of an inconvienence then anything.

I plan to use this car to tour in and I would not want to get out in the sticks somewhere and have the "New" bendix lock into the flywheel gear and not be able to get things apart.

I was just thinking of using the best stuff available but if the "New" Bendix is prone to failure, may be I should stick with what has worked for me all these years.

My thinking,


Thanks for your input,

Chris

[Glenn C.]

Maybe thats the reason there is a BIG difference in price between the local farm implement dealer, or auto parts store, than the price being offered by the Model A parts suppliers. Good quality versus cheap quality.

[Cajun]

New style works great. No danger of a broken bolt falling into the flywheel housing.

[Gord. B by the bay]

I have over 50,000 miles on the new style starter now that is a lot of starts and it has never failed, I would suspect something is not quire lined up properly possible bent shaft

Gord.B by the bay

[Robert]

I have the "modern bendix" on 2 Model A's that have been converted to 12V, no problems after several years service.

[ChicagoBob]

I've read posts here advising that we take care that the new style starter gear engages fully with the flywheel ring gear (slides far enough forward). If it does not, there is an increased risk of damaged teeth or a bent starter shaft.

[Lawrie]

I had a new style on my a,(12v) after 7000klms it blew apart,first time in 10 yrs that the a failed to start,
now has a good original spring setup back on.
Lawrie

[pick]

I have a good quality new styyle and it's trouble free and even seems to engage better than the ol' stock units which in the past I had "problems" with both bolts & springs breaking. Go with the new "and improved"

[Art Bjornestad]

I use the new style with 12 volts. I have broken a few Bendix springs with 12 volts so I switched. Has been fine for about 5 years.

[Model A Man]

Originally Posted by Robert

I have the "modern bendix" on 2 Model A's that have been converted to 12V, no problems after several years service.

same here.

[Herb Concord Ca]

Hi Chris, depends where you got it from. I broke 2 that where marked Made in India.
It has a different finish than the one sold by Brattons. His is not marked, Made in India.
I installed his this past January and it has worked fine since then.
My car is 12V with a starter converted to 12 Volts.
The 2 Made in India drives lasted less than 20 starts!! Both broke internally, came off the starter shaft in pieces.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
herb

[Herb Concord Ca]

Hi Chris, depends where you bought it from.
I had 2 marked Made in India brake on me.
The last one I purchashed from Brattons and it's NOT marked Made in India. Brattons also as a different finish on it.
I installed it last January, and has worked fine since then.
The 2 broke with in 20 starts, both broke internally, came off the shaft in pieces.
My car is 12 V and the starter is converted to 12 Volts.
You should be fine with one from Brattons.
Good Luck,
herb

[Mike V. Florida]

Just because it's new does not mean it is better.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

I ran one for 8/9 thousand miles, and when I took it out, it was loose and ready to break. My opinion is, that the starter is an annual or maybe every other year, maintenance item to be checked and the bolts tightened. The tractor style doesn't fit right w/o some adopting, and it's difficult to get in and out, and has the same inherent problem of the spring bolts coming loose(although they won't fall out) So I went back to the original! Chuck