Hi All,
I am trying to remove the starter motor on my 1949 F-1 flat head. It is stuck. I have removed the two long bolts to remove the housing, but it will not budge. What am I missing to get this starter off? I have tried tapping with a hammer, rocking the truck back and forth, moving the gear shifter, ...nothing. What is the process to remove? Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Joe

 

A bigger hammer......seriously. Welcome to the madness. Find two nuts to place on the ends of those bolts. Otherwise, the starter will fall apart after you get it out.

 

If this is a flathead 8, did you remove the bracket that bolts to the oil pan?

 

LOL. That too.

 

I had a similar problem with my 50 6 cyl. I was trying to start it one day and nothing but clicking, I thought it might be the solenoid so I replaced it and found out that wasn't it. I found out the starter was stuck on the ring gear so I tried to remove the starter.I took the long bolts off and the one bracket to oil pan bolt. I had to pry the starter lose with a bar to get it loose, everything looked ok on the starter and ring gear. I put it back together and have started it over 50 times now and it starts fine

 

50f6, That is exactly what happened. ...not electrical, it's stuck.

I do not have a bracket attached to the oil pan. The housing is off. I welcome the starter falling apart, at least that would mean it's out. What holds the starter in place?

 

The bolts and the bracket are the only things that 'hold the starter in place'. You do have to wiggle it a bit to move the bendix clear of the ring gear. If it's not moving at all, it sounds like the bendix drive is stuck in the ring gear. I'd suggest sliding the case back on to protect the armature while you beat on it and pry the starter to free it.

 

Excuse the sloppy attempts to write with a cursor, but this will show you how the bendix actually goes behind the ring gear/flywheel. The drive slides away from the bendix to engage the gear, and the pressure from the gear spinning on it's own is supposed to allow the spring to push the drive gear back out of the way.

 

Harelymsn, Thanks for the replies. I'm at work now, but tonight I'll see what I can do to get this unstuck.

 

Joe, the two long bolts that go through the starter hold it to the bell housing. I couldn't believe ford would bolt it up this way but that's the way I found out and read it in the service book, mine came all apart but that's how I got it, off good luck

 

Thank you all, we'll see what tonight brings. I'll just break out the Thor hammer and see if I can't loosened it.

 

My Father and I have had this issue on a '53 sedan that we have. An old timer upholstery guy told me he has had this happen several times with flatheads over the years in his shop. He recommended putting the car in a higher speed gear and rocking it back and forth. In his experience this had freed the starter gear teeth off of the flywheel, the higher gear made it easier to move the car. He did this with out loosening or unbolting the starter.

 

Well, I got the starter off. Rocking it back and forth while in third gear finally did it. Now for the "be careful for what you wish for" part. The unit did come apart and now I'm left with 4 brushes I can't get back together. There is an electrical repair shop not too far from me. They'll be getting a visit on Monday. This certainly has become a learning experience. Now, a related question, is there suppose to be oil or any lubricant where the starter gear meets the fly wheel? It's pretty dry in there. Is this the reason for it getting stuck?

Thanks to all who offer help.

Joe

 

Well, the puzzle is back together! Installed the starter, and as luck would have it, the engine turned over and fired right up. Now, if I only knew why it stuck in the first place. I also have a brand new, never used, Dennis Carpenter 12 volt starter motor. I am fairly certain they will not take back electrical parts. So,.. I have a spare.

Again, thanks to all who offered advice and expertise. Conclusion, just rock it AND do not remove the screws all the way.

Joe

 

Happens to my F 3 once in a great while. I put it in reverse and rock it. With the key off of course!