starter no engage

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Nov 11, 2003 | 07:54 PM

56f600

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From: Joyce, WA

starter no engage

I got my '37 dumptruck freed up and tried to start, but starter doesn't want to engage flywheel. Any suggestions?

Nov 11, 2003 | 09:35 PM

46fordtruck

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From: Orange County, CA

Starter spins, but doesn't engage the flywheel? Are there any grinding noises, or just the starter spinning? If no grinding, just the starter spinning, then it's probably the Bendix drive on the starter isn't sliding to engage the flywheel. Other option...the teeth on the flywheel are chipped and broken, so they can't engage with drive.

Nov 11, 2003 | 10:45 PM

56f600

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From: Joyce, WA

She spins nice and quietly. I tried rolling engine by hand thinking I had a bad spot on ring gear, didn't help. What is the procedure for removing starter and fixing bendix? Thanks

Nov 11, 2003 | 11:14 PM

mtflat

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From: Kalispell, MT

Probably have a broken bendix spring. There are two long bolts that go the length of the starter housing and thread into the bell housing - unscrew them (but don't remove them) and the starter will come out. Watch that you keep the starter housing ends in place, cause with the bolts loose it'll come apart. A couple of coarse threaded nuts on the bolts will hold it together while you work on the bendix.
The bendix spring is held on with 2 bolts with lock-tab washers. Make sure you reinstall them correctly with the new spring. Fairly simple repair, but make sure you retorque the spring bolts - and a little loc-tite is recommended. I've had the bolts back off and fall into the flywheel housing (twice). Good luck.