The Ford Barn

ndnchf · 04-20-2023, 07:24 AM

I often see people struggling to remove and install generator and starter pole shoe screws. Here is a short video showing the simple rig I made for my arbor press for removing and installing those screws.

https://youtu.be/aQTjMXQffvY

Marshall V. Daut · 04-20-2023, 09:56 AM

If one is going to replace the field coils anyway - and not simply remove them to clean the inside of the housing and/or re-seal the coil wrappings - the best way I have found to remove those stubborn bolts is to use a torque and heat the bolt heads until cherry red. Allow them to cool and you can then very easily back the bolts out with a large screwdriver. 'Still won't come loose? Apply heat again. They WILL come out when persuaded by heat.
I have tried all the recommended rigs and special flat blade socket with impact wrench, but heating the bolt heads is by far the easiest and quickest method, let alone less stressful. The bolts can be reused if the heads and slots have not been chuggered up by past attempts to remove them or to stake them in place. To be safe, just order two new bolts when you send for the new field coils. Why get cheap at this stage for the sake of two measly bolts?
Marshall

Marshall V. Daut · 04-20-2023, 10:05 AM

By the way, when installing the new field coils, they have to seat right up against the generator housing, no gap at all, or else the armature will clip them when it spins, if can even be installed. Don't try to seat the field coils using the slot head bolts. You will not be able to deform the coil frames to match the curve of the housing. Use normal hex head bolts with a breaker bar to do this because you can apply much more pressure to tighten the bolts than you could ever apply with a flat blade screwdriver. Once the bolt cannot be tightened any further, remove it and install the slot head bolts, tightening them as much as you can. Stake them in place with a chisel so that they don't back off, unlikely as that would be.
You will be surprised by how much better the hex head bolts pull the field coils against the generator's housing. Make life a little easier on yourself and follow this advice - this HARD-LEARNED advice.

Marshall

ndnchf · 04-20-2023, 10:31 AM

I use a tailpipe expander to seat the pole shoes/coils. It presses them tight up against the body so the screws can be easily put in and tightened. No need for other bolts.

stevests · 04-20-2023, 10:52 AM

Where did you locate the expander ?

ndnchf · 04-20-2023, 11:20 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by stevests

Where did you locate the expander ?

Harbor Freight

Brentwood Bob · 04-20-2023, 02:03 PM

Thanks for the how to. I have struggled with this screw removal.

old31 · 04-21-2023, 08:14 AM

Marshall, great idea using the hex heads. It makes sense.

I also use the HF muffler expander.

alexiskai · 04-21-2023, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshall V. Daut

By the way, when installing the new field coils, they have to seat right up against the generator housing, no gap at all, or else the armature will clip them when it spins, if can even be installed.

You can actually see this happen in one of the recent videos by Astra-Werke in which he rebuilds a starter. He doesn't have a way to seat the field coils and he ends up machining the armature down about 1/2mm.

ndnchf · 04-21-2023, 09:31 AM

This is where I got the idea from.

stevests · 04-21-2023, 10:52 AM

Thanks !

nkaminar · 04-21-2023, 02:23 PM

i have used a couple of heavy duty C clamps to seat the shoes to the case. I use an impact screwdriver to seat the screw.

04-20-2023, 07:24 AM	#1
ndnchf Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia Posts: 1,088	Tool for removing and installing generator and starter pole shoe screws I often see people struggling to remove and install generator and starter pole shoe screws. Here is a short video showing the simple rig I made for my arbor press for removing and installing those screws. https://youtu.be/aQTjMXQffvY

04-20-2023, 09:56 AM	#2
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,627	Re: Tool for removing and installing generator and starter pole shoe screws If one is going to replace the field coils anyway - and not simply remove them to clean the inside of the housing and/or re-seal the coil wrappings - the best way I have found to remove those stubborn bolts is to use a torque and heat the bolt heads until cherry red. Allow them to cool and you can then very easily back the bolts out with a large screwdriver. 'Still won't come loose? Apply heat again. They WILL come out when persuaded by heat. I have tried all the recommended rigs and special flat blade socket with impact wrench, but heating the bolt heads is by far the easiest and quickest method, let alone less stressful. The bolts can be reused if the heads and slots have not been chuggered up by past attempts to remove them or to stake them in place. To be safe, just order two new bolts when you send for the new field coils. Why get cheap at this stage for the sake of two measly bolts? Marshall

04-20-2023, 10:05 AM	#3
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,627	Re: Tool for removing and installing generator and starter pole shoe screws By the way, when installing the new field coils, they have to seat right up against the generator housing, no gap at all, or else the armature will clip them when it spins, if can even be installed. Don't try to seat the field coils using the slot head bolts. You will not be able to deform the coil frames to match the curve of the housing. Use normal hex head bolts with a breaker bar to do this because you can apply much more pressure to tighten the bolts than you could ever apply with a flat blade screwdriver. Once the bolt cannot be tightened any further, remove it and install the slot head bolts, tightening them as much as you can. Stake them in place with a chisel so that they don't back off, unlikely as that would be. You will be surprised by how much better the hex head bolts pull the field coils against the generator's housing. Make life a little easier on yourself and follow this advice - this HARD-LEARNED advice. Marshall

04-20-2023, 10:52 AM	#5
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 630	Re: Tool for removing and installing generator and starter pole shoe screws Where did you locate the expander ?

04-20-2023, 02:03 PM	#7
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Re: Tool for removing and installing generator and starter pole shoe screws Thanks for the how to. I have struggled with this screw removal.

04-21-2023, 08:14 AM	#8
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,460	Re: Tool for removing and installing generator and starter pole shoe screws Marshall, great idea using the hex heads. It makes sense. I also use the HF muffler expander.

04-21-2023, 10:52 AM	#11
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 630	Re: Tool for removing and installing generator and starter pole shoe screws Thanks !

04-21-2023, 02:23 PM	#12
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,863	Re: Tool for removing and installing generator and starter pole shoe screws i have used a couple of heavy duty C clamps to seat the shoes to the case. I use an impact screwdriver to seat the screw. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.