Hey all, I finally got my project to run today. My ignition problem seemed to be with a short in the ignition switch wiring causing my points to be continually grounded

That's the good news, now the bad... My starter now just spins but does not crank engine. Perhaps when the motor fired it chewed the teeth off my starter gear? Ill remove it to confirm. This is my luck with projects...fix one thing and break another!

 

Coil spring of Bendix inertia starter drive may have broken.

 

My thoughts too...Is that obsolete part?

 

Of course, what isn't for these trucks?!

Available NOS and from autoparts stores. The spring has to be unwound by hand to get to the roll pin that retains it to the armature's shaft.

It takes muscle and a lot of cuss words to rewind that spring back to its normal position. You may be saying mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa from the pulpit if anyone other than the lawd hears you.

 

I've seen the whole drive for sale, but you are saying to get the old one off is a nightmare?

 

Oh btw the spring was broke but the ends of the gear seem to be chewed

 

Unwinding coil spring to access roll pin is as EZ as pie. Rewinding coil spring is a pain in the backside, takes muscle and in many cases, a whole slew of cuss words to get it back to its original position.

They look the same, but looks can be deceiving: There is more than just one of these Bendix inertia starter drives. What engine, 'Mileage Maker' 223 I-6 or 'clackity clack' Y block?

 

I really should proof read...my spring was Not broke. I've got the 272. The replacements I've seen don't show the spring like mine has, they look enclosed at the end of the drive.

Anyone got any "mini starters" opinions? Saw them for sale too and figure why not save up and upgrade