Starter failed roadster trailered home..need good lead on flathead starters 12 v.

Out cruising with the top down yesterday and stopped for a beer. Come back to get going and no-go. Sounds like the starter drive is not engaging.This is an original starter and I`m running 12 v.negative ground. I`ve had SHOEZE for 14 years and never a problem.
Changing this starter requires a lot of work because of the steel oil lines that are contoured around it.So my question is..Does anyone have aline on a good starter supplier.
On the net I saw Speedway has replacement 12v chubby little starter. Anybody ever use that thing..Looks to FLOYD COTTERPINISH to me Any help would be great Time-Bomb John
www.timebombs.ca

 

The starter in my first car - a 50 Ford sedan - would not engage.

I found that the bolt on the Bendix had vibrated out.

Put it back in, problem solved.

Worth a shot, hope it works for you.

 

Steel oil lines for an automatic I am ***uming otherwise a quick push would have started the car.
Check your solenoid first. Run a temporary hot cable directly to your starter lug and see if it'll move. Sounds to me like you will have to remove oil lines regardless of the size of the starter.
6 volt starters work amost forever with a 12 volt system.
Those small 12 starters are expensive. I would either buy a rebuilt 6 volt unit again or have yours rebuilt if its not the solenoid.

 

Scuse my ignorance please. Which starter do you have and what engine does it start? I understand it's a flathead, but which one?

Are you thinking abouth replacing it with a 'mini' starter? FWIW I have the OE Ford ones on the Anglia and Model A and they work great. I admit they don't have the look but if you ever have a low battery (and an automatic) they can be nice as they draw very little power compared to the older types. Might make the difference between starting or not.

 

I burnt mine up sorting out an ignition problem. I took it to a local starter/alternator shop. They rebuilt it for 12V at a cost of 95$.

If it's spinning alright it could be a broken spring on the bendix. I think a lot of guys carry a spare spring for emergencies in BF Egypt. Supposedly the extra oomph from the 12Vs is hard on the spring.

 

I am with C9 on this one. If it spins and doesn't engage its either a broken bendix spring or a backed off bolt. I just had my bolt back off last month. Got a push start and got home dropped the starter, tightened up the bolt, replaced the bolt safety locks and was driving around 20 min later.

I am running the 6V starter on 12V, starts really quick compared to other flatheads I have seen. I have been running this starter for 3 years now and no signs of major failure.

You should think about always carrying a spare bendix spring. They are easy to change but hard to find when you really need one.

 

Took my spare 6V to the local starter/generater shop. Rewound to 12V, new bushings, brushes, bendix, commutator turned, painted for $65.00. It now resides in the trunk as a spare. Guy said he's done a million of them counting the 8N tractor ones he's done.

 

thanks for all the help guys. I am running a toploader 4-gear so I did manage to push start it once and she fired up.I turned it off again and boom she would not start.I`m going to remove it and have a look.The steel lines are all hand bent for the full flow oil filteration system.I thought it would be better and more reliable than the hoses that come with it from Motor City......7 years ago.I appreciate all the responses it is a big help Thanks again....Time-Bomb John

www.timebombs.ca

 

If concerned about broken bendix springs, look into one of the "barrel-drive" bendixes - marketed at the Model-A crowd, it works well on the V8 cars.

Had a bolt back out on my '40 (12V on a 6V starter) & had the barrel drive, so stuck it on. Works well. Keep the old bendix (with new bolts) in the trunk as a spare - just in case.

 

Check your drive ***embly. There is a bolt on the end that will rattle out if the retaining tab breaks off or was missing to start with. We've got drive ***emblies in stock if you need one, simple to swap. Or ship it out to us and we'll get it done right for you.

 

Just got the car off the trailer and will be looking at it today. We will let you know whatsup...Thanks TBJ...

 

Yup, just happened to me a few weeks ago, easy fix, I'll bet money that is what your problem is.

Rich

 

Got it fixed guys...broken spring.10 minutes starter out replaced spring with a new one from a 39 ford unit 10 min. back in.I love flatheads..Thanks for all the responses guys...God Bless the H.A.M.B....Time Bomb John

 

If you want a spare I have one I'm not using. It's a bit rough

Flatman

 

i didnt know flathead starters ever went bad!!, they just like to break bendix springs, ive done it! put a new spring in and use it till it actually goes bad.

jeff

 

That`s the word man.Broken bendix spring....weird.First time for me. Good refresher course though.My buddy Al Webster gave me the part.Walk into hi shop and there`s a 36 roadster,40 coupe,40 Merc rag,38 chev rag.and 2 56 Mercs along with a 37 Cord......He is a true rodder...all flatheads in the Fords and the roadster is Blown. Wild.....TBJ