Just bought a 1931 Tudo! Having starter issues.

S

sapple89

Junior Member
I just picked up a VERY ORIGINAL 1931 Ford Tudor :D . After driving it around for two days I think my starter may have gone bad and I have a few questions. When I try to start the car (with a key), I hear the starter just spin freely and squeal like its on vacation. After a little bit of research, I have come to the conclusion that the Bendix drive might have gone bad.

Questions:
-Is it the starter?
-Can it be rebuilt? If yes, is it something an average car enthusiasts can do? (I prefer to fix it myself)
-If its not the starter, what is it?




Things I have not tried yet:
-Crank start
-Push start
 
Remove the starter & see if the bendix spiral is just gummed up, if so, clean it & lube it with a VERY light oil. Something in the starter drive may be broken also. Bill W.
 
It is definitely something that one can do on their own. Do as Bill says, and there are sources of how too's that are invaluable to the new Model A owner. There are DVD's and books galore. I like Les Andrews red book and advice I get here on the Barn. Keep us appraised.
Just as an afterthought when you get it running be sure when you start the car to have the spark advance rod, on the left side of the column all the way up till the engine catches then bring it down to about half way.
 
Welcome to years of happiness and a sense of accomplishment!!

-Is it the starter? Sounds like it!
-Can it be rebuilt? If yes, is it something an average car enthusiasts can do? (I prefer to fix it myself) Very much so
-If its not the starter, what is it? See answer to question number 1

There are several ways to go on this take out the starter you may have just broken a bolt or spring or both.

Missing parts end up in the bottom of the bellhousing.

You can replace with original type parts;


A11350.jpg


You can also use "modern" style

A11350M.jpg


Pictures are from Mikes Afordable
 
I just pulled the starter out and think I have an engagement issue. I believe the bendix drive is spinning freely and is not engaging the flywheel.

Any suggestions? I just posted some pictures, but you wont be able to see them until a moderater approves them.
 
Last edited:
Where I am I cannot get to photobucket. If that really is the problem then the bolt is in the houseing and a new bolt can be purchased from just about any model A vendor.
 
When you pull your starter and if you find a bolt broken always remember to fish out the broken bolt head out of the bell housing or it may cause trouble down the road use the search tab and it will have many ways to fish them out and the damage that they cause if you don't get them out some guys use a magnet some use grease after i broke one of my bolts and reading how to go fishing i hooked two broken bolt heads and two locking clips i used a magnet at the end of a cable for bait true the starter hole :)
 
Besides the new bolt, you also should have a shim under each end of the spring if the spring uses 5/16" bolts. Also use new bolt locks.

Snyder's part numbers for 5/16" bolts:

Spring clips....... A-11384
Bolts & locks......A-11382-SE
 
Here is a picture showing the two styles of Bendix springs. Notice the darker spring on the left has the last half coil pulled in slightly to form a close fit to the drive, and therefore doesn't need the extra clip that is used with the spring on the right. Check your spring carefully to see which style you have.
 

Attachments

  • Stater Bendix Spring Change.jpg
    Stater Bendix Spring Change.jpg
    56.4 KB · Views: 25
Question about how this happened. Did you put the spark lever up when you tried to start your rig? If not this could be why this happened.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top