Starter bendix stuck in engaged position
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Starter bendix stuck in engaged position
I've got a 57 F100, and when I picked up the rebuilt starter to put it back in I slipped the bendix into the engaged position. I can't figure out how to disengage it and move the gear away from the starter housing.
Having it in this position is making it tough to remount the starter, as the gear and flywheel engaging seems to shift it slightly out of line. Can anybody help me disengage it?
Having it in this position is making it tough to remount the starter, as the gear and flywheel engaging seems to shift it slightly out of line. Can anybody help me disengage it?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 31,848
Likes: 2,368
From: Upstate NY
I'm pretty sure you can grab a hold of it and force it back into posistion by hand. Under operating conditions, the momentum of the engine spinning sends it back. There is a lock pin in there that drops into a detent and keeps it there while the enigine is still coming up to speed.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Booster cables didn't loosen it. Some pretty sparks though. 
I can't move it back into position by hand - that's the problem. It's locked into what seems to be the engaged position and won't move back up the shaft.
I took a picture of it to confirm that it is in the engaged position, but now I can't find my card reader, so I'll post that eventually.
I can't move it back into position by hand - that's the problem. It's locked into what seems to be the engaged position and won't move back up the shaft.
I took a picture of it to confirm that it is in the engaged position, but now I can't find my card reader, so I'll post that eventually.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 97,523
Likes: 2,001
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
[QUOTE=hwoolsey;11251518] Booster cables didn't loosen it. Some pretty sparks though.
QUOTE]
Bummer! I`m going by memory that may not be too accurate. I was thinking that by a few quick bursts it should have repositioned it`s self.
QUOTE]
Bummer! I`m going by memory that may not be too accurate. I was thinking that by a few quick bursts it should have repositioned it`s self.
Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Cedar city
I haven't been into an old starter in the last 45 years. I seem to remember
putting something like a piece of card board, like a match from a matchbook
up into the one spiral groove and getting it to ride up over the detent stop.
I then had to be very careful not to let the drive extend while handling
the starter. I may be way off as 45 years is a long time and the memory
is slipping.
putting something like a piece of card board, like a match from a matchbook
up into the one spiral groove and getting it to ride up over the detent stop.
I then had to be very careful not to let the drive extend while handling
the starter. I may be way off as 45 years is a long time and the memory
is slipping.
Trending Topics
See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,899
Likes: 656
From: Mariposa, Ca.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 97,523
Likes: 2,001
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I ordered a starter to flywheel housing seal to replace the crumbled one I took off, so I'm hoping that difference in position makes just enough of a change to get the bolts threaded.
As best I can tell, this starter drive pulls the gear into the flywheel to start, rather than pushing it out into it. Given the placement of the flywheel and the shape of the drive, I don't think there's enough clearance for it to work the other way around. Am I just way off base here?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
As best I can tell, this starter drive pulls the gear into the flywheel to start, rather than pushing it out into it. Given the placement of the flywheel and the shape of the drive, I don't think there's enough clearance for it to work the other way around. Am I just way off base here?
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 565
Likes: 3
From: saxton pa.
Starter Woes
If I remember correctly I used to spin the starter drive with a wire wheel the direction the flywheel would spin it, so it would move back to its origional position.
Have A Nice Day------Hotwrench
Have A Nice Day------Hotwrench
New User
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Solved
I've got a 57 F100, and when I picked up the rebuilt starter to put it back in I slipped the bendix into the engaged position. I can't figure out how to disengage it and move the gear away from the starter housing.
Having it in this position is making it tough to remount the starter, as the gear and flywheel engaging seems to shift it slightly out of line. Can anybody help me disengage it?
Having it in this position is making it tough to remount the starter, as the gear and flywheel engaging seems to shift it slightly out of line. Can anybody help me disengage it?
As soon as I did that the bendix retracted easily.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 79
From: Central Oregon
I haven't been into an old starter in the last 45 years. I seem to remember
putting something like a piece of card board, like a match from a matchbook
up into the one spiral groove and getting it to ride up over the detent stop.
I then had to be very careful not to let the drive extend while handling
the starter. I may be way off as 45 years is a long time and the memory
is slipping.
putting something like a piece of card board, like a match from a matchbook
up into the one spiral groove and getting it to ride up over the detent stop.
I then had to be very careful not to let the drive extend while handling
the starter. I may be way off as 45 years is a long time and the memory
is slipping.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Skoob
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Oct 30, 2021 08:28 PM
WaveyDavey1980
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Apr 18, 2019 09:31 PM
gollygwagen
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
May 22, 2008 09:03 PM
