is it the flywheel or a spring??
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From: cypress
is it the flywheel or a spring??
alright, i recently bought a 1969 ford F100/ranger about 2 or 3 months ago, it is a great truck, rebuilt twice, only 68k on the body, it was in storage for the owner for years, when i bought it, it was fine. but the the clutch went out, so i replaced it, that was a pretty penny, but now i have a prob starting it. when i go to start my truck, the starter does not hook the crank, and the starter spins freely. after about 4 trys it hooks most of the time. then when it finally cranks up, theres a radle sometimes. i thought it might be the fly wheel, but my dad says its the "Bendix spring" and its worn out, if you have any information on this, please help! its a 390, bored over 30, 6.4L with a three speed that was on the colum and is now on the floor, thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Coal country
Replacing the Bendix isn't hard, but the starter must be disassembled. It might be better to get a remanufactured starter instead of replacing the Bendix; it depends on how comfortable you are with reassembling the starter.
Before you do that, though, check the flywheel teeth on the ring gear.
Under your engine there is a stamped sheet metal plate which bolts to the tranny with 4 short 1/2" bolts. Remove this inspection cover and check the ring gear teeth. You will need to rotate the engine to see the rest of the ring gear. You can do this by "bumping" the starter, or by using a large flat tipped screwdriver to pry the flywheel around. (Before you bump the starter, be sure to disconnect the coil wire!)
If your flywheel teeth are OK, then it is most likely the starter's Bendix. If the teeth are badly worn, especially in one spot, then you need to change the flywheel or ring gear.
Before you do that, though, check the flywheel teeth on the ring gear.
Under your engine there is a stamped sheet metal plate which bolts to the tranny with 4 short 1/2" bolts. Remove this inspection cover and check the ring gear teeth. You will need to rotate the engine to see the rest of the ring gear. You can do this by "bumping" the starter, or by using a large flat tipped screwdriver to pry the flywheel around. (Before you bump the starter, be sure to disconnect the coil wire!)
If your flywheel teeth are OK, then it is most likely the starter's Bendix. If the teeth are badly worn, especially in one spot, then you need to change the flywheel or ring gear.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ohio
Pull the starter and go to parts store and buy bendix. Pull the nose cone off starter and install new bendix, re-install cone. Watch you don't pull entire shaft out of starter, the brushes will come loose and you'll have a mess to put back together. Take your time and it will be okay.
You may just want to replace the starter, heck they are cheap enough and with a warranty it may just be easier.
Larry
You may just want to replace the starter, heck they are cheap enough and with a warranty it may just be easier.
Larry
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Bridgeville,CA
Even if you decide to get the new or rebuilt starter take the time to check the ring gear. Cobbed up teeth on the ring gear could mess up a new starter and would still require you to fix the ring gear. It only takes a few minutes to rotate the engine all the way around as described by banjopicker66(good post)
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From: cypress
alright, thanks, the only reason i thought it was the flywheel is because my older brother, who owns a 1997 eclipse thought it was the flywheel for sure, but hes an idiot, but i have one more question, where can i find a bendix spring?
allen
allen
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From: Wesley Chapel, FLA
Welcome to the world of old Ford starters. The starter drives are easy enough to replace and cheap. I've done it a good number of times. My old parts guy told they sell more of those old Ford starter drives than all the other brands combined. If you do replace it be sure to get the heavy duty version and get a new one, not remanufactured, if you can. NAPA has them, or at least they used to. I'm not sure because...
Better is to go get a lifetime guaranteed starter from a reputable nationwide parts house (in case it goes out on a trip, happened to me once) and save all your receipts, etc. You WILL be needing them someday if you plan on having your truck for more than a few years. Then you can just replace the whole thing free and be done with it. Until next time. And there will be a next time.
I've had my truck more than 20 years. I've probably had starter trouble to deal with 5 or 6 times and changed the flywheel gear once during that time.
Better is to go get a lifetime guaranteed starter from a reputable nationwide parts house (in case it goes out on a trip, happened to me once) and save all your receipts, etc. You WILL be needing them someday if you plan on having your truck for more than a few years. Then you can just replace the whole thing free and be done with it. Until next time. And there will be a next time.
I've had my truck more than 20 years. I've probably had starter trouble to deal with 5 or 6 times and changed the flywheel gear once during that time.
Last edited by rmt; Dec 12, 2003 at 09:59 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ohio
I don't think the spring is replaceable on the starter drive(bendix). It is all one unit. It probably got dry and rusty, then broke, gets stuck.
I'm with rmt, just get a new starter and be done with it for a while. Heaven knows you will get a new bendix on it and two weeks later the starter will die anyway
.
Larry
I'm with rmt, just get a new starter and be done with it for a while. Heaven knows you will get a new bendix on it and two weeks later the starter will die anyway
.Larry
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