Got a 54 Belvedere with a 230. Not sure what the previous owner did - the engine was seized, radiator out, and pan was off. Got it broke free and back together after a couple weeks and some heat on no.6. Disconnected everything and put a 12v battery to the ignition and starter through the solendoid. Starter wouldn't engage. Pulled it, pulled it apart, and clean up the rusty shaft and bendix. So it worked a couple times (engine ran for a few seconds - yay!) but now the mostly the starter spins but doesn't engage. Even after rotating the motor a bit. Sometimes after letting off the "key" it will grab and the next time I hit it it will engage and crank. So wtf is going on? Also, considering the state they left the motor I'm thinking they might have jacked with the starter too. Bolts were loose when I went to remove it and I don't know enough to know if the bendix has been messed with. The springs were still in it at least. Yeah, I could get a new bendix but I don't see anything wrong with this one. Thoughts?
Sure, but the motor didn't work either... until I fixed it. I mean I don't work on old shit because I can't afford new. It looks to be fixable so I want to fix it if possible. I guess if I buy a new bendix I'll at least know what's wrong with this one.
it works just like your craftsman ratchet--remember when you had them put a new pawl in or replace whole ratchet?-well that bendix is prob crimped and tough to take apart to 'rebuild' -a bendix is cheap...