Noisy Abel starter

[Mark in MT]

I need some guidance from the gurus on multiple disc clutches. I am working on an early 28 multidisc with the abel starter and an original type ( I believe) starter drive. It is noisier than other A starters that I am used to. It was noisy with the original ring gear, which had moved forward on the flywheel 3/16", I changed the gear and it went on like normal. The starter motor ran nice and quiet on the work bench, but is noisy when engaged. It also does not always engage the ring gear, just spins, next time you push the switch, it will engage.

Question 1) Are the Abel starters noisier than the usual type used with the single disc clutch?

Question 2) Is it normal for the starter drive to sometimes not engage the ring gear?

I have worked on lots of different A's, first one for me with the early starter.

Thanks,

[quickchange]

Mark , not done much with these but had a feeling one need to use a spacer shim , this would move starter away from block a little , hence starter drive would mess deeper , others will advise better than me .

[Mark in MT]

Quickchange: There is a shim that was on it when I took it out, put the same one back in.

Thanks,

[Tom Wesenberg]

Do you have a picture of the starter?

Is it for sure the ABELL drive?

I've had guys insist they had the Abell drive, but it turned out to be the "SERVICE DRIVE" as pictured in the Service Bulletins.

The Abell drive and the Service Drive should both be just as quiet as the later 5/8" drive. If you are using a drive with a spring (and bolt with a head) on the pinion end of the spring, then it will be very noisey or break the shaft, as the bolt head hits the multiplate flywheel. The Service Drive needs a headless bolt on the pinion head.

Of course the Abell drive has no exposed spring.

[Mark in MT]

Tom: It is an Abel starter drive, it doesn't look at all like a standard bendix starter drive. It is on a May 28 car that is very original, a Springfield woodie wagon.

[Tom Wesenberg]

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Any chance the ring gear is on backwards?

The bevel on the teeth must face the rear of the car to help the starter drive mesh.

[Mark in MT]

The ring gear is installed properly, also the starter was noisy with the old ring gear. The noise can be described as a deep growl.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Have you removed the starter to look at the Abell drive? My first Abell drive had some chewed up teeth. I welded them up and ground them to shape as best I could. Now I just have to find it.

[Ron in Quincy]

I suggest you find a DR Starter Drive and convert your starter. The conversion is covered in the Service Bulletins ; The Bendix drive is much superior to the Able Drive. No doubt Ford recognized the problem and that is why Ford came out with the conversion.

Ron

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy

I suggest you find a DR Starter Drive and convert your starter. The conversion is covered in the Service Bulletins ; The Bendix drive is much superior to the Able Drive. No doubt Ford recognized the problem and that is why Ford came out with the conversion.

Ron

Because of the rarity of an unmolested 1928 Abell starter and drive, I'd leave it original, but you might want to buy another 1/2" starter with the service drive already done. They aren't too hard to find. Give Bert's a call. 800-321-1931