Y block start Q?

[1930artdeco]

Ok, I am coming from the Model A world where the starter is disengaged from the flywheel at all times until you start the car. I heard the Y block starter stays engaged with flywheel until the engine starts and then the starter gets kicked back. Is this true? And if so, what keeps it disengaged while the engine is running?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[dmsfrr]

The bendix starter gear drive isn't engaged with the ring gear on the torque converter or flywheel (photo 1) until the starter starts spinning (photo 2).

It releases automatically when the engine reaches a certain rpm. (faster than the starter spins)

 

[1930artdeco]

That is what I thought, but when I turn my over by hand I hear it ratcheting. Bad spring maybe?

 

[miker98038]

It won’t spin back by hand. But it doesn’t make a difference. If you crank it and it doesn’t start, it stays engaged. If you got the starter in with it in the start position it’s no different and stopping cranking for a bit. They can be spun back in on the bench, but since it involves a spinning wire wheel I’m going there. I don’t think I ever had to do that.

 

[rotorwrench]

The model A has a weak spring to aid in returning the bendix to the stopped position. If the spring wears out then the bendix will move along with the flywheel. As the flywheel turns with the hand crank, for example, the drag of the starter will allow the bendix gear to be drawn back on the worm screw it rides on till it disengages the flywheel. If the starter has little or nearly no drag then it will also stay engaged till the engine tries to start.

It's a different design from the later inertia type but the end result is basically the same.