Early 28 starter

Maclab58

Maclab58

Well-known member
I have an e28 sport coupe with the early starter that has the 1/2 in shaft and unique starter switch. My problem is the bendix. Mine broke a couple of years ago but I sourced another from a Barn member minus the spring. So far I have had no luck finding one. My question is, can I use the early 28 starter case and use a later model armature and end caps retaining the cool switch but also gain the ability to use a modern bendix or stock bendix ( which I have several of)
 
Try Little Dearborn in Minneapolis 612-331-2066. They had one for $10 plus shipping a couple years ago.
Also give Bert's a try 800-321-1931.
I've also seen them on ebay.

BTW, that is known as the "SERVICE DRIVE" and was used to replace the Abell drive. It's talked about in the Service Bulletins.
 
If you can't find what you are looking for call Van Bergen and greener.They have been around since 1919.
800-621-3889
 
My real question is can I combine the early 28 case with later armature and end caps. Hate to pull mine apart if it won't work. Anyone try this?
 
That depends on if you have the later or early flywheel. The later one may have enough clearance for the bendix spring to clear. The early one will not. The flywheel can be machined to make the clearance on the backside. Rod
 
Maclab58 said:
My real question is can I combine the early 28 case with later armature and end caps. Hate to pull mine apart if it won't work. Anyone try this?
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Do you have an early multi-disc transmission? I speak from personal experience that a later model starter sticks and won't work with a multi-disc flywheel. The nitwit who sold me my 28AR roadster pickup with a 5/8 drive starter. Starter would never disengage. I had to hunt up a 1/2 drive starter myself.

A later 5/8 starter might work if your flywheel is later flywheel size or smaller. A 5/8 starter is pretty cheap to get and easy to find to try it out.

Then again it might not since the 1/2 starter gear is smaller than the 5/8 starter gear. But I just checked and the ring gear is the same diameter on early and later. Flywheel cover looks the same as well but don't know if an early cover is different for sure. Just happened to have the flywheels and covers on my garage floor.


I don't have the correct attachment for the early spring so I'm putting my 28AR back together right now without the whole multi-disc setup even though it did work fine. I'll include all the multi-disc parts when I sell the truck.


multi-disc flywheel for 1/2 drive starter.


flywheel for 5/8 drive starter


Glad you brought this up as I'll be sure and compare the early with the later flywheel cover.
 
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Maclab58 said:
I have an e28 sport coupe with the early starter that has the 1/2 in shaft and unique starter switch. My problem is the bendix. Mine broke a couple of years ago but I sourced another from a Barn member minus the spring. So far I have had no luck finding one. My question is, can I use the early 28 starter case and use a later model armature and end caps retaining the cool switch but also gain the ability to use a modern bendix or stock bendix ( which I have several of)
Click to expand...

The quick answer is NO. Why don't you advertise for an early bendix in the Fordbarn swap meet? That is how I got both of mine.
 
for what it's worth
 

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You can't mix and match the 1/2" starter parts with the later 5/8" shaft parts. The bushing in the end plate for the 1/2" shaft is much larger than the later 5/8" shaft, which also uses a 5/8" bushing.

I would put up an ad for the correct 1/2" parts. If you need the headless screw for the starter drive, it's easy to make. It also has a small hole for the lock wire.

As mentioned, you can cut the outer edge of the flywheel for more clearance and then use the standard 5/8" drive.
 
I have a newer flywheel/clutch and for that matter a newer engine. My original engine is in need of a rebuild and is sitting on my shop floor. It has an AER touring engine in it now. I just want to retain the "AR" look.
 
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