Clutch inspection plate removal

[Ray Balukas]

Hi to all, I have removed the Starter and bolts on my 8BA clutch inspection plate, but can't seem to get it to slide out. Help please, don't want to mess anything up. Thanks Ray

 

[19Fordy]

Ray,
First, be sure to also disconnect the battery cables at the battery. You don't want any sparks flying around. The Bendix starter gear fits in behind the flywheel so you may have to "wiggle and jiggle" the starter around for it to come out. That's why the flywheel ring gear teeth are beveled on the backside and the Bendix gear is beveled on the front. Make sure you install the little bracket that supports the starter and bolts to the oil pan when you reassemble.
These photos are of an 8BA bolted to a 50 Merc bellhousing, but the principles are the same for stock Ford set up.
This info. may also help.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/starter-motor-removal-on-8ba-flathead.365098/

 

[drolston]

Also note that the through-bolts that hold the starter in place also hold the starter together. While lying on your back in cramped contortion fighting to get the Bendix past the ring gear, also try to hold the starter together end-to-end. Thus avoid the struggle to get the brushes back in place if the end plate with the brushes moves out far enough for the brushes to come off the armature. Unless you are removing to do a starter rebuild or replace, in which case it does not matter if the thing comes apart.

 

[19Fordy]

Ray:
To keep the starter together while reinstalling, drill and tap the case and the end plate for a little clamp strip that will hold it all together and make your job so much easier. This strip remains on the starter for easier removal, next time. I used a longer screw and added the washer to compensate. Nuts shown in 2nd photo will be removed, of course.

To make the long stater bolts "catch" the bellhousing threads easier, file a taper on the
front of the threads. You can also buy those bolts at Lowe's if you need too. Placing a bottle jack under starter to support it also makes it a lot easier to install.

For "provenance sake" make up a historical data plate and secure it to the outside of the starter case. Just a neat thing to do. Mine tells what parts were used to convert to 12V by owner, location and date.

 

[40cpe]

If the original poster hasn't got what he wanted done, he should come back and clarify what he is trying to do. His title says "Clutch inspection plate removal". Although he says he has removed the starter, I can't tell if he is trying to remove the starter, the bottom inspection cover, or the starter plate.

 

[Ross F-1]

.... Although he says he has removed the starter, I can't tell if he is trying to remove the starter, the bottom inspection cover, or the starter plate.

Exactly, this is the clutch inspection cover

 

[Ray Balukas]

Sorry Folks The Starter plate, Thanks. Ray