Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

The starter stopped engaging on my early '28 A. It spins but doesnt engage the flywheel. Removing the starter shows a broken bendix spring. I havent had any luck locating a replacement (I havent called all the part suppliers yet), it looks like the Ts used a slightly different diameter spring and the later A's after Oct 1, 1928 used a 5/8in shaft instead of 1/2inch. Looks like this part was only used on the early production A's. Any ideas on where to find one? Ide rather not replace the entire bendix assembly with the revised design but thats an option I guess. Thanks
-Andy

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

Try berts and if they don't have one the main suppliers might .but they are your best bet.

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

Do you have a multiplate flywheel?

Or is it the later common single clutch disc?

The spring and bolt shown is wrong for the multiplate flywheel.

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

That is not a "Abell" starter drive you show..It is a Bendix Assy..

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

Ever wonder WHY Ford stopped putting on the ABEL and switched to a BENDIX?
Ever wonder WHY Ford advised the FORD shops to replace the ABEL starter with a BENDIX?

Putting 'correct' "Blue Ribbon Show Standards" aside, if you drive your car much, you might want to listen to what Henry Ford was saying about the early ABEL starter. It was just not up to the task; the BENDIX was specifically designed to overcome the ABEL short-comings.

It is a different world now - a different Model A world, than when we were all driving the Ford Model A in the 1950's and 1960's (and earlier too, ofcourse). Back then dependability and reliability trumped authenticity and historic accuracy. Everyone I knew, including myself, pretty much followed the recommendations and directions of the FORD SERVICE BULLETINS. That included changing the unreliable ABEL with the BENDIX starter motor.

Of course all this pre-supposes that you prefer dependability and reliability over 'correctness'. On my early '28 cars, my ABEL starter motors never failed. But as these were daily drivers, I did not want to 'tempt fate' or risk a future brake down, so I followed Henry Ford (and his extraordinary Engineers) advice and replaced the ABEL with a BENDIX.

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

If you have the Able Starter Drive and Multi Plate flywheel, and are lucky enough to come up with a DR Starter Drive, you can convert the very early starter to the Bendix Drive, it is covered in the Service Bulletins. What usually bends the 1/2" starter shaft is failing to retard the spark before engaging the starter. Caution !!!!! be sure to have the correct slotted screw for the rear of the spring, a later bendix screw with a head will not clear the flywheel.

I have been running this conversion on my A1276 with no problems.

Ron

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

Unfortunately, that link no longer works

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

Try this. https://modelagarage.com/

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

Is the model t spring the same?

Re: Where to find an early '28 "abell" replacement bendix spring
 

The T spring is wound the opposite direction of the A's..