59 ab 1942 flathead, starter gear is not droping to engage the fly wheel. sometimes it will some times it won't. can not see anything physically wrong with it, it just does not drop enough to engage the fly wheel. any suggestions?
If you have the correct flywheel, for the oil pan that you have or if it worked with another starter, then you may just have a bendix drive problem.
Has to be '46-8...or '42. Can't be both, but no matter. First question is whether flywheel has been changed on the engine, since ring gear is moved on post 1948 wheels. If not...thoroughly clean shaft and bendix, see if parts move on the screw easily by hand, look over spring and bolts for any problems.
flathead has been sitting for years and turns freely, i am trying to fire it today and the starter that came with it when i bought it is the one i am having problems with. if i take the starter out it will sometimes drop and sometimes not. i imagine that the fly wheel is correct just starter trouble.
bendix was the problem with mine... same symptoms (different engine 49' Dodge flat head). I'd try a different, new/rebuilt starter
Sometimes the stud holding the battery cable connection has been ovetightened and breaks the electrical connection. There is a nut holding the stud and another holding the cable. Sometimes the cable bolt is tightened too much and turns the stud. You can grab it and see if it wobbles and that might be the problem. That was the problem on mine.
The drive on your starter works on centrifugal force to make it engage the flywheel, so it needs that quick pop from the battery to move the pinion out. Most troubles with this starter engaging is due to low battery voltage or voltage drop through the positive cable to the starter. Make sure cables are good and not droping voltage due to high resistance, terminals are clean and that the battery is good.
the starter runs good and spins realy fast, still not droping the gear. evan when i stand the starter up, and i have cleaned the shaft and lubricated it, boy i sure do appreciate the fast responses guys thanks.
I think everyone else is right: it's probably a dirty bendix. But you might just make sure the starter mounting bolts have not worked loose. I had that happen once.
You have to closely examine the spring for breaks and loose/damaged bolts, but main thing is get the spiral very clean and see that it moves very easily by hand. If starter is spinning up to high speed quickly and does not have momentary failures to indicate bad connection somewhere, problem is most likely Bendix. If looking around in the junk pile for other stuff to try, starter and Bendix interchange on all 221-239 1932-53 except for automatic trans, extra mounting tab and funny drive with wrong tooth count ID the automatic one.
You need a nearby flathead friend plus your own junk pile, because swapping parts is oft the quickest diagnostic...
hey bruce i got it to fall, it cought the fly wheel and it just stopped did not turn the engine, and the engine turns pretty easy by hand, but starter could not turn th engine. its hooked up to a new 12v battery.
An old timer told me years ago to make sure where the starter and oilpan surfaces meet to be clean and free of paint. just a thought.
Yes...try a direct ground cable to starter. How is it hooked up...solenoid can be fried or dirty, connections bad as noted above. Should hit hard and spool up fast on 12. It is pretty easy to take apart, in fact it will take itself apart when you pull the two bolts, so check the hot connector, clean and examine brushes and armature.
i have direct ground from battery, just trying to turn the motor over at this point, nothing is hooked up besides the starter. this thing realy flys when out of the oil pan. but wont evan turn engine over? keepem comin well figure it out sooner or later. thanx guys, Cheddar
Well, screw modern technology! See the roto-rooter looking thing at the middle of the pulley? That takes the crank handle. For situations like this. Anybody out there in Mexico have an early Ford crank handy?
no no, im just trying to see if i have a good starter or not i know the engine will turn, ^^(previous post) i guess i should say what i mean with all this good help. just trying to get starter to work so i can rig it to fire. trying to find out if i bought a runner. this motor is in a model a frame. nothing hooked up just sittin in the frame.
Your starter sounds like it needs rebuilt or replaced. The brushes may also be shot. As mentioned before the bendix could have issues.
hey guys thanx for the help, changed jumper cables and it turns the motor, now to work on fire, thanx again for the quick response. had weak small gauge jumper cables. Cheddar
just got it to fire, not much but it did fire through the exhaust holes and back fired through the carb once, now am waiting for battery to charge! not a constent idle yet but it will!!!
Stuck valves are very common on long retired flatheads...look down plug holes while someone turns the motor by hand, if one stays open squirt in oil and push it down, repeat til it frees.
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