Projects Drdave accidentally buys a Model A. Now what?

Always appreciate your comments but I know you do good work! A little humor for the day- as we’re pulling into Dewey my wife decides to count all the bugs on the windshield after 400 miles, tells you how well I kept her entertained! Disadvantage of a wide flat piece of glass!
Looking forward to seeing what you do with the Merc.

 

LOL. The joys of a nice stretch out in the road.

 

I would use the modern style Bendix drive. Especially if running 12 volt.

Dave

 

How are they different to the stock? Or are you talking about a different starter motor?

 

@bchrismer told me about those at the show. I had no idea such a thing existed. He told me the 12 volt conversion was prolly what did it in and he had the same problem with his...broke two in a week. He sent me a link and I've ordered one up. Should be here in a couple days.

Bret said it was some kinda different deal they used on tractors. Got it from Millworks. Here's a pic of it

and a link to their page:
https://www.millworkshotrod.com/pro...pe-1928-1953-ford?_pos=6&_sid=e3b3e2356&_ss=r

 

Yep, 12 volt can be a killer on starter drives!

Dave

 

@drdave posted a pic. I get my from www.snydersantiqueauto.com

Dave

 

I used '35's (actually Kelsey's) in my 31 RDPU's well. Try letting some air out and carrying a tire pump (or AAA card)).

Charlie Stephens

 

Yeah, I broke two stock springs within a week's time. I swapped to the "new" style bendix and haven't had a problem since. And for what it is worth, if you "test" to see how it works, it WILL stay in the engaged position. The only way I found to disengage it was to hit the starter with 12 volts to generate the rotation to unlock it from the "engaged" position. LOL

 

Damn Doc, I'm loving the way this ol gal is coming together. Do you know why a deuce grill is overused according to some? Because they look absolutely awesome!

 

Agreed! Thanks @Jrs50

New bendix is in. I tried to install it quick the other evening, but it has to be compressed to get to the set screw. I asked @bchrismer how he did his and he said he remembered there was a string of words but couldn't remember the exact combination that was successful. It seems "doesn't that just pickle ya?" isn't working for me. LOL. I looked it up and sure enough there is a tool for the job. Looks like an easy tool to make and I have scrap on hand to make one...just didn't get time to get it done this weekend. Our youngest graduates this coming weekend, so getting ready for the festivities has been the high priority.

 

I've never had or used a tool to install the modern Bendix.

Dave

 

Here's the compression tool photo:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...-0fa3-49a8-bcc7-90d2407c2c2b.jpg?v=1673014152
Make it, or buy it here:
https://www.millworkshotrod.com/pro...compressor-tool-ford-model-a-and-v8-1928-1948

 

Yup, that’s the one I saw. Got a couple of chunks of angle, long 3/8 bolts and some 1.5” ID tube, just got cut, drill and weld it quick and I’ll be in bid’ness.

Dave, how did you get it compressed enough to get to the set screw? You got super strong squeezy fingers? I wanna know the secret!

 

Must have cuz I have done several and never had a tool! Maybe I'm the tool? LOL

Dave

 

if you run the 6volt starter on 12volt with the modern bendix this will eventually happen.
Also it erodes the starter contact switch because the inrush amperage running a 6volt on 12volt is actually higher than 6v on 6v or 12v on 12v. The 4 windings on the 6v are wired in series/parallel. The 12v all the windings are in series.
The model A houses sell 12v windings to install to replace the 6volt ones. There are tricks to make it trouble free like heat shrinking insulation on the thru bolts and many more...
I'll give you a PM....you want your A to run as good as it looks!!!

 

Well there is something new I have never heard anyone mention!! Thank you!!

 

Never seen that before! Guys here even run 12 volt on stock Model T's and yes break the stock starter drives but never the shaft. My Model A's both run 12 volt with modern Bendix. My 331 Hemi 6 volt starter runs on 12 volt as well.

Dave

 

Been a crazy full week here with a graduation in a couple days so haven’t really been able to work on the car. @winduptoy set me up this week on a converted 12 volt starter which arrived today. Got a few minutes this evening to swap over the fuse and put the new bendix on. Ended up being able to squoosh the washer down enough to get the set screw backed out without making the compression tool. All ready to install and be ready to roll. Maaaaaybe be able to swing a few more minutes tomorrow to get it done….after the party decorating, mulch spreading, rehearsal and table setting upping.

 

thats exzact what I did... mine the center of the shell bumps up making the hood about a 1/4 high

 

I had to trim a smidge off the bottom of the shell sides where it touches the fender at the frame to be able to get the shell down tight to the top of the radiator and that dropped it down just enough for the hood to be back in line.

 

mine where the center hood hindge on the top is raised (was) so I had to re work that area to get the hood hindge down flush with the lip on the 32 shell, that and I think my radiator is bigger than stock, so a new problem...with the shell pushed as far back as it would go, and down on the radiator there was about a 1/4 from it touching, and then had to thread the rods and cut about 1 inch off... that put the fan about 3/4's from the radiator.... so now to get the belt off I have to loosen the top rods to but the belt on...

I also bought the "MADE TO FIT DROPPED HEAD LIGHT BAR"... NOTHING WAS EVEN CLOSE TO FITTING!!! a now another problem, do I have to take the fenders off to get the last inner bolt in??? the way they did the drop the bolts on the inside have to be installed to the light bar all the way or you can't get them in after the bar is on,... so as of now there are only 3 bolts in.....might be able to just take the fender Brace out??? any way threw in the towel and quit,...

 

I had to do a little work on the center of the shell under the hinge rod as well to drop it down a little...forgot about that.

I had the same problem with the lower bolts on my first headlight bar before I reworked it. One of the guys (or maybe a couple) said sometimes slotting the lower hole a bit helps get enough clearance to angle the bolt in. Might try that?

 

Got back out in the garage last night and got the starter all in. I've fiddled with it here and there when I've had a few minutes, but was unable to get the new larger bendix in the hole and clear the flywheel. Last night I had a bit more time and wiggled and waggled every which way and still was unable to get it in, so out came the die grinder and I trimmed the hole maybe 1/8 inch or less (with a rag in the hole and then followed with a magnet to catch and clean up all the shavings of course) and slid right in happy as a clam. Hooked it all back up and after remembering all the steps (dang it, didn't turn the gas on, shoot, where do I set the spark....) fired right off and runs happy as a clam on 3 year old gas. LOL. Sadly, it's raining today, so didn't drive it to work. Tonight I'll finish getting the horn all worked out (started last night, but I'll save it to share all the steps and changes at once) and then it's time for some miles!

 

Congrats! Bet you're grinning ear to ear! Hope you get lots of fun miles out of it now and of course on to the MERC.!

 

Awesome! Now that you’ve got the car running and the lawn cleaned up maybe we’ll visit haha

 

I'm certainly looking forward to driving it again after 3 years. LOL

LOL!! Can't promise the shop is any cleaner than the last time you came by tho. Ha!

 

Well, I had it, then I didn't. Ran it down the driveway last week and short of a loose headlight, all seemed ok. So, I got brave and went to drive it to work yesterday. Got the stop sign at the end of the street and it sputtered and died....which I suspect is largely do to the hanging up go pedal linkage I forgot about. Started right up and continued on, but at the next slow down, same thing, only this time it didn't restart. Fortunately I was right at my father in law's warehouse so I got it in the parking lot and left it. Went back after dinner and still nothing. Have a full 12 volts on the batter, so I must have something amiss. Maybe get a chance to mess with it some this week.

 

Bad or lose ground would be my first thought if the battery had juice.

bad coil maybe?

 

Everything else electrical is working and the starter worked fine 2.5 minutes previous, but I checked that at the warehouse before trying again last night anyhow. All good.....except for maybe the fresh starter might be painted on the rim and not grounding well to the bell housing, so I have to check that. Might also have a stuck switch or something, so will check that as well.