Could use a source for a '49 starter. Had a number of them but sold them in my auction prior to moving. Now I need a good one, as the one in my rebuilt 239 seems weak. The engine may be a bit tight also, but with some time on it starter is no better, probably worse. Battery and connections are good.

 

Napa or other parts stores might be able to, speedway, mac's and other places can.

 

I used NAPA a lot up North where we are from, they were fantastic. I have not tended to use them so much in our current location, I tend to get blank looks when I look for old stuff, which is often. Just thought I'd poll you folks for fresh opinions as I tend to get stuck in my old thought processes. Thanks for the response.

 

Tom, let me check out in the shop, I believe I still have one or two. I was holding onto them for my 51 F1 build, but since I am putting an AOD behind it I have to use a different starter.

 

Maybe ask the store who rebuilds there starters, I use a company called Boyle Future Tect in Auburn ca for a long time now they have mountains of starter, alternators and generators the local guys are better anyway.

 

I bet if you pulled that starter and installed new springs, brushes, and bushings- you would see a remarkable improvement without a lot of investment. Maybe a 1-2 hour job.

JB

 

Did that a couple of years ago, starter used little since, but I suspect armature is bad.

 

Harleymsm, I am located in Greeneville Tn, you are where?

Tom

 

I've had good luck with these in my fleet:

 

You and Joe are a coupe hours apart, at most. His information top right of his post indicate his location.

 

Thanks raytsch.,

This just got interesting, I removed the starter from the tractor (did I say tractor?) yes, an 8RT in a 49 8N tractor. When I took it apart, it was full of dirt and the commutator is in bad need of undercutting! I think my neighbor who was helping me with the project mixed up the one I rebuilt with another of several I had. No ***** punch marks I always put on the frame but hidden by the brush shield either .Tractor has never been stored outside let alone in a creek bed. Someone also lubricated the starter drive, also a no-no. So, I will clean it up, do the commutator etc., and reinstall. I do have sellers remorse selling the bushel baskets of starters, generators and Stromberg 97's I had, so I may obtain a spare starter just in case. Thanks to all.

 

after undercutting
Update - The starter was in pretty good shape except for the aforementioned dirt and the commutator being worn down to the mica. I cleaned up the commutator and undercut the mica. Not having the correct fixture and tool for doing the mica, I improvised. I took a thin milling cutter (the teeth only .050 wide) and dressed one tooth down to .035, spot welded it to a small pair of vise grips for a handle and carved the mica below the copper. Quite labor intensive, but after reassembling and installing on the tractor, it works like new. No parts required. Took pic of commutator, should have taken one of tool as well.

 

Good job! BUT you are not supposed to undercut the commutator on starters, only on generators. If the starter works, that's great, just for future reference.

 

I have an original Ford maintenance manual from the early 50;s that outlines the procedure for undercutting the mica on starters, also in a similar vintage Motor's manual states the same. The only difference being the amount to undercut, one saying 1/64, the other saying 1/32.
I am almost 79, when a teenager with no money, that is what we had to do. I do wonder how brushes are supposed to make contact when the mica is too high?

 

I don't know how the mica could be proud of the copper, that would certainly not work if it were. From the workshop manual for our trucks, p.268: