Flathead Starter Removal
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Hacienda Heights, CA
Flathead Starter Removal
The old starter on my '48 f-1 with a '51 Flathead V-8 just clicks now, so I figured I would replace it with one of those new Powermaster gear reduction Flathead starters. I am having a hell of a time pulling the old starter off. I pulled out the two long bolts, but the old unit won't budge. Is there a bolt that I am missing?
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 11
From: Crossville, Tn
The old starter on my '48 f-1 with a '51 Flathead V-8 just clicks now, so I figured I would replace it with one of those new Powermaster gear reduction Flathead starters. I am having a hell of a time pulling the old starter off. I pulled out the two long bolts, but the old unit won't budge. Is there a bolt that I am missing?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 553
From: Kalispell, MT
Put the long bolts back in - til they bump into the threads. Otherwise the starter will come apart in pieces. When you get it out, put nuts on the thread to keep it together.
You have to tip the front toward the engine and up slightly as you tip the bendix out and down. The boss of the bendix has to clear the ring gear as it sits behind it in normal position. That's what usually hangs up.
You have to tip the front toward the engine and up slightly as you tip the bendix out and down. The boss of the bendix has to clear the ring gear as it sits behind it in normal position. That's what usually hangs up.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Hacienda Heights, CA
Thanks for all the help; I was able to nudge the sucker loose. I figured it was just getting hung up on the flywheel, but did not want to damage anything by whacking it or otherwise forcing it loose!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
If you are going to the Powermaster, you are likely already 12v, right? You'll love that starter, they are as biug an improvement as alternators/12v is! Note that you need to do some rewiring, since the solenoid is on the starter. I actually use the original solenoid to trigger the solenoid on the starter
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Bump this TTT, a HUGE help to me today. My Uncle and I went to pull 'Blue Death' out of the barn to spray some fertilizer and the starter was a no-go. Turns out the spring on the end of the starter shaft had broken. 65 years, it doesn't owe us a thing! Being a young(er) mechanic, I'd never seen a larger starter mounted by the bolts that hold the starter itself together. Any recommendations on where to get a spring? Any tricks to replacing this? Thanks!
Trending Topics
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Dennis Carpenter has the spring itself, cheapest way to fix it.
Starter Drive Spring | Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts
Starter Drive Spring | Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 11
From: Crossville, Tn
As Ross said Carpenters has them, as does Miller Obsolete, in Binghampton, NY and several others, including several vendors on ebay. do a search for Ford starter drive spring B11375.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Dennis Carpenter has the spring itself, cheapest way to fix it.
Starter Drive Spring | Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts
Starter Drive Spring | Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
This is the infamous 'Blue Death!' There are a few better pics outside on page 2. She should be back in action either today or tomorrow!
And yes, she does need some work. On the short list is complete brake system overhaul, replace water pumps, rebuild fuel pump and finally get a window in the drivers door. The fuel pump draws such little vacuum that if it sits for three or more days we have to pressurized the tank to get fuel to the carb. Once its running it does fine. From there, we'll see. I'd love to restore it but lack of $, time and the fact its still used as a work truck are holding us back.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
Put the long bolts back in - til they bump into the threads. Otherwise the starter will come apart in pieces. When you get it out, put nuts on the thread to keep it together.
You have to tip the front toward the engine and up slightly as you tip the bendix out and down. The boss of the bendix has to clear the ring gear as it sits behind it in normal position. That's what usually hangs up.
You have to tip the front toward the engine and up slightly as you tip the bendix out and down. The boss of the bendix has to clear the ring gear as it sits behind it in normal position. That's what usually hangs up.
They said at MAC parts it would fit? There must be a trick. If I slide the end down making a gap it fits on the wall on the opening.
Ideas? I won't be able to get to it for a little while since it will be a high of 37deg here in Atlanta! Thanx.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,887
Likes: 3,130
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
37°?! Heck, that's perfect working weather, no sweat and no bugs. We aren't going to hit the 30s until sometime next week.
Your description was a little hard to understand. Can you post pictures of the starter? Maybe it won't fit the six but as far as I know the starters are the same for the 6 and 8. I do know there are a couple of different designs of starters. I found this out a few years back when I was trying to cobble one good starter out of two. I took the starter out the flat 6 in my '49 F-2 and another out of a '50 F-2, both with the flat six. The main casing was slightly different and the parts wouldn't interchange. Both fit the same engine but I couldn't mix and match parts.
Post pictures of both starters side by side at a couple of different angles. Maybe one of us can see a difference that is causing your installation problem.
Your description was a little hard to understand. Can you post pictures of the starter? Maybe it won't fit the six but as far as I know the starters are the same for the 6 and 8. I do know there are a couple of different designs of starters. I found this out a few years back when I was trying to cobble one good starter out of two. I took the starter out the flat 6 in my '49 F-2 and another out of a '50 F-2, both with the flat six. The main casing was slightly different and the parts wouldn't interchange. Both fit the same engine but I couldn't mix and match parts.
Post pictures of both starters side by side at a couple of different angles. Maybe one of us can see a difference that is causing your installation problem.