New Starter Bendix Installation
 

I’m reading through “Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook, Vol. 1,” page 1-288, to install a new Bendix on a rebuilt starter. I don’t see any mention of oiling or greasing it. The Bendix should not be installed dry, should it?


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Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

From what I've read, it should be installed dry to prevent any oil or lubricant from attracting dirt and grime on the shaft which could affect its ability to return to its place out of the way of the flywheel. There may be other reasons as well. Stay tuned for more opinions.

Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

Also, how tight does the bolt in the bottom of the picture need to be?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3a58b3769e.jpg


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Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

As tight as you can, making sure you can still bend the tabs squarely against the flats of the bolt heads. One of the tabs bends down and the other bends up just like you have done on one of the bolts already.

Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

The other bolt came from the manufacturer alright tightened and “bent over;” so, I don’t have a reference point for how tight is tight.


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Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

It wants to be dry, the bolts very snug and also use permatex blue on the threads, in addition to the tabs.

Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

With the Bendix off, the rebuilt starter shaft turns freely. When I tighten down the Bendix, it appears that the Bendix moves into slight contact with the starter body, and it doesn’t turn quite as freely. Should I ”dress” end of the Bendix slightly? Or, will normal use take care of that?


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Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

If the bendix is properly made to specs and the pin hole at the tip of the armature is correctly placed, the bendix assembly should make no hard contact with the armature shaft bushing boss on the starter housing cover. It should rotate with no hard contact there. If it just barely rubs then it will likely bed in over time.

There are small bolt bendix types and large bolt types. I prefer the large bolt ones that are made in the US.

Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

No oil or grease!

Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

Dry on the Bendix, and just tighten those bolts tight!

I would dress down that spot. Why not?

Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

I dressed the Bendix a bit, but it still snugged up against the starter housing a bit as I tightened the Bendix bolt. So, I decided to test it by applying thread lock, tightening the bolt, bending the keeper over the bolts, and installing it temporarily. (This is going to be my spare starter.)

The first start was a little slow, but the next starts seemed fairly normal. When I removed the starter for storage, it spun freely like before.


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Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

I use a little " Singer sowing machine oil " on the bendix . It is a very thin oil and never cause any hangups . Protects as well .

John in sunny morning Suffolk County England .

Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

Oil on the bendix, in cold weather, will cause the bendix to not engage, or as john charlton says: "hang up"

Re: New Starter Bendix Installation
 

Better yet, use some graphite