Early starter bendix

[Seabees]

Howdy boys, thought I'd rebuild an early starter, but of course no one sells parts for the early ones, however, it looks as though a Model T bendix is the same, from the pictures on Snyders website. It's a 1/2" shaft, rather than a 5/8" like the later ones of course. What do you think? Can I put a 5/8" armature in it and call it good? Of course I'd have to change out the front plate. I'd like to use the "modern" bendix if I could also. They are only made for the 5/8" shaft. Thanks guys, always a pleasure.

[Ray in La Mesa]

I believe the "T" spring would not work on an A Bendix as it is wound in the opposite direction.

[Synchro909]

The early Model A starter drives had no spring. They were a very hard engagement and weren't used for long. I had one which I sold/gave to a friend over there in the US. He said whenever he shows it to people, VERY few know anything about them.
As for putting a 5/8" shaft armature in a 1/2" starter, I haven't done it but I've looked at it and on the surface of it, I think it might pretty much go straight in. The shaft has a diameter of 5/8" when it goes through the end plate, then reduces to 1/2". I suggest you do some investigation before committing to anything that will cost.

[Benson]

Here is a thread on early starter drives.

I am NOT an expert on them.

https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthrea...1448&showall=1


NOTICE this thread is from 2011...

[CWPASADENA]

Originally Posted by Seabees

Howdy boys, thought I'd rebuild an early starter, but of course no one sells parts for the early ones, however, it looks as though a Model T bendix is the same, from the pictures on Snyders website. It's a 1/2" shaft, rather than a 5/8" like the later ones of course. What do you think? Can I put a 5/8" armature in it and call it good? Of course I'd have to change out the front plate. I'd like to use the "modern" bendix if I could also. They are only made for the 5/8" shaft. Thanks guys, always a pleasure.

Seabees,

I sent you a PM,

Chris W.

[katy]

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A model T bendix won't work as it turns in the opposite direction.

[tmiller6]

The Model T spring will work with the multi disc clutch flywheel. It is wound in the same direction as the Model A spring but is a smaller diameter. There is one installed on my later ‘28 Coupe.

[brito36]

I believe that Ford originally made a bendix drive to replace the earlier smaller shaft. You may want to check the service bulletins or the service letters for information.

[Seabees]

Great info guys, thanks! Tmiller6, I am going to use a multi clutch in a truck I am putting together, were the later starters used after Sept. of '28? I'll take a look at the bulletins, but I'll take all the help I can get. Thanks boys!

[tmiller6]

Seabees,

My starter has a 5/8” shaft, conventional starter drive with a headless set screw on one end of the spring. The starter itself has the early switch. The flywheel is the later version multi disk that is stepped to help clear the drive.

I haven’t checked lately, but I think my engine is around October 5, 1928.