Starter won't come out

3

36fordguy

Member
This is hard to explain. I have a 36 ford pickup with a 59A motor. I installed a 12V starter with the late model enclosed bendix spring unit. After driving the car for about 1 yr the starter failed and is locked up. Trying to rock the car to free the starter does not work it is still locked up tight. Tried to remove the starter and it will not come out. Does anybody have any ideas to get the starter out short of pulling the motor. 36fordguy
 
you may have to dismantle the starter in the car, bendix is probably locked behind the flywheel,after the end piece is off and the outer case removed you may have enough free play with the armature to to wiggle it around and free the bendix
 
Loosen the bolts and hit the starter button a couple of times to see if it will loosen the started up. Be careful not to damage the ring gear. Pete/Ct
 
Clarify "it will not come out". Do you mean it is stuck in place after the bolts were loosened? If that is the case Pete's suggestion should work. Or is it that you can't get the bendix passed by the flywheel? If you have this condition things could get a bit more involved as the new drives are larger in diameter. If the gear is extended or separated from the bendix there may not be enough clearance unless the pan is dropped.
 
I had one of those with the new style drive and I had to let the starter come apart and remove the case to get it to the right angle to get it off and It NEVER went back on. Instructions with the drive said it MIGHT need to be ground off a bit!
 
If it's loose it should wiggle out. If the bolts are loose, still tight and it don't come out you need a bigger hammer. G.M.
 
36fordguy, I got the starter out, had to break the plate that connects to the pan bell housing. The bendix assembly separated into two sections, the rear section went behind the flywheel - the front section got lodged against the teeth of the ring gear. Breaking the mounting plate allowed me to move the shaft to the outside and pull the starter out. No more late model bendix springs for me - The old ones broke occasionally but I always been able to remove the starter and without putting the car on a lift and major hammering Thanks a lot for your help and support with my problems.
 
Glad you got it out, I think we can all take a lesson from your experience to stick with the original type bendix. Pete/Ct.
 
I put one of these new drives on my 8ba couldn't get it past the flywheel I used an original one no problem,now im glad I did
 
I have one of those barrel drives on my Model A and one on my 40 with a 59AB. They both been on for 2-3 years. Reading this thread I hope I never have to remove them. Walt
 
Different, I know but on the UK built motors with a Lucas starter, the hole in the sump is egg shaped to allow the bendix to pass the flywheel. Not familiar with these new drives, but maybe the hole in the sump needs egging out a bit prior to fitment???

Just sayin'.

Mart.
 
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