barrel starter drive for flathead
 

I'm sure some of you guys are useing this moden style starter drives ( barrel drive) on your flatheads. How do you like it? Have you had any trouble with it? Yesterday I just broke the 2nd bendex spring on my 40 in 35yr's. I just ordered one of these barrle drives. Thanks Walt

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

Walt Dupont--Me>>>I just broke the 2nd bendex spring on my 40 in 35yr's.>>>

I have no experience with barrel starters. But I'd guess they're probably not gonna last as long as one of your antique bendixes. Do you think I guessed right? 8^)

Jack E/NJ

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

I have one on my 49 with a stock motor and Optima battery. No problems. My dad put one on his Model A which is converted to 12 volts and has no problem. It eliminates the bendix falling apart. Not to say the original starter drives were not reliable but this eliminates the possibility of bolts falling out.

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

I've been running one for 3 or 4 years and so far it's all good. This is on a 12V system and the starter was rewound by my electric guy for 12V when the barrel was installed.

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

I have a 51 Merc engine in my 41 truck and broke a NOS stock bendix pretty quick, it is using 12 volts, changed to a barrel one- had to grind the inside the bellhousing to get it to fit, once that was over with I like it, I would say it engages "softer" than an original. My starter was also converted to use 12 volts with the proper fields.

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

I changed mine 2 years ago when I changed to 12 volts. Works great, No problems,
No grinding to install, No worries about broken springs or bolts falling out.
Bill

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

A friend tyed to install one on an 8BA engine and said he couldn't get it in, so he went back to the stock setup. My engine is a 59AB. Has anyone had trouble installing one on a 59AB style engine (oil pan)? Thanks Walt

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

had to grind for clearance to get it past the flywheel-must be a problem related to cast 8BA housings, a friend put one on his 38 engine with no problems

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

No problems here. I converted to a gear drive starter many moons ago.

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

I have one of the brand new 12v starters with the barrel system. It starts the flattie like a champ, but I have no idea of its longevity.
I think two springs in 35 years is not a bad record.

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

ive got one on a model a and one on an 8ba. The 8ba i had to grind the barrel deal. I just ground it down just a little all around it.

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

Mine is on a C59A, and required no grinding at all to fit.

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it goes in my 59AB in my 40. Walt

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

Walt, I had a barrel drive on my A,on 12v.it lasted about 7000 klms then blew to pieces,I was starting and only just pressed the starter,then let it off,the eng rolled back on the compression stroke,then I hit the starter again,then it came apart,.
So back to the old bendix drive,that also seems quieter.
Lawrie

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

Lawrie, I have one in my Model A for the last couple of years. It's been working fine, knock on wood. Walt

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

I have the stamped housing on my 498ba. It did not go in easy but it went in. A little finagling but it cleared the steering linkage with the weight off the control arms.

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

Have'nt herd about this barrel drive before, could someone post a Picture?

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

I put one on an 8BA and it went on pretty good, but I had to remove it from the starter shaft before I could get it back off.

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

Here's the link to Mac's catalog page

http://macsautoparts.com/search.asp?...drive&x=11&y=7

Re: barrel starter drive for flathead
 

What are the symptoms of a broken bendix spring? My starter has been making a tinny metallic sound and seems slow to disengage.