New Guy Starter Help

[MattDeAmicis]

Hello everyone. My name is Matt and I'm new here. I have a 1946 Super Deluxe. I went to start it yesterday and the starter spun and did not engage. After removing the starter I found that one of the bolts is missing from the bendix. I plan to fish around for the missing bolt in the flywheel housing, hopefully I can find it. Also, the starter came apart on me when i was removing it. I tried like hell to not let it come apart but no such luck. How do i put it back together? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks-Matt

[Pete]

Depending on how far apart it came, you might need some help getting it back together.
It is somewhat difficult to reload the brushes with just one person.
A long handle magnet will usually fish the broken bolt from down in the bell housing.
Broken bendix bolts are common in old Fords. You either deal with it or replace the starter with a gear drive type. A little pricey but no more failed starters.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by MattDeAmicis

Hello everyone. My name is Matt and I'm new here. I have a 1946 Super Deluxe. I went to start it yesterday and the starter spun and did not engage. After removing the starter I found that one of the bolts is missing from the bendix. I plan to fish around for the missing bolt in the flywheel housing, hopefully I can find it. Also, the starter came apart on me when i was removing it. I tried like hell to not let it come apart but no such luck. How do i put it back together? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks-Matt

[RKS.PA]

Mike, from your third picture, it looks like you're close to getting it back together. Remove the cover (the silver metal sleeve that covers access to the brushes) and lift the brushes to get the armature back in place. This might be a good time to examine them for wear and also check the condition of the armature. As Pete notes above an extra set of hands comes in handy, but I've done it myself. I have a history of the starter coming apart!! So, what I finally did was put duct tape lengthwise down the starter to keep the end caps in place. (It also serves to remind me that the starter always wants to come apart on removal, so I need to be more careful when the long bolts come out!!!)

Not sure where you live, but I'd be happy to help you get it back together when you get your bendix fixed.

[glennpm]

I replaced my original starter with a Ford FE to convert it to 12 volts. To get the brushes out of the way to reassemble, I pulled the springs back with a small hooked tool,

" I found that if pulled the springs back with my scribe hook toward the corner of the brush guide/retainer, that it would hold the brushes out and in place. After doing this and going to put the long bolts in."



This is the thread https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...0&postcount=28

Also this thread regarding the assembly with aan FE model starter that Tubman found for me: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...42&postcount=5

[Terry,OH]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Matt: Appears your missing the two special lock washers 11379, One on each bolt, they prevent the bolts from coming loose by locking the hex head. The two retaining bolt are very different. The one your missing is 11382

[glennpm]

A-11379-A BENDIX BOLT LOCK WASHERS- PAIR- 5/16

https://modelastore.com/index.php?ro...roduct_id=4114

[MattDeAmicis]

Thanks for the replies and advice everyone. Got it all back together and started!
Matt

[RKS.PA]

Good going, Matt!!
Know you're very happy that you solved your problem and guessing you found the missing bolt!!

As an aside, sorry I addressed you as Mike in my earlier response.

p.s. don't forget my duct tape trick/reminder!!

Regards...Dick.

[MattDeAmicis]

Thanks Dick. Yes I found the missing bolt and threw some tape on the starter before reinstalling it. Worked great! Thanks for the tip! Matt (Mike haha)

[19Fordy]

Matt, Glad you got your starter fixed. The #1 post in this thread shows an idea for holding the starter together for easy install.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...rt+starter+12v

[Fredb_]

Nice job and nice looking Ford!