The Ford Barn

FLA48 · 08-27-2014, 10:26 AM

On a 48, 59AB engine, the starter bendix stopped engaging in the flywheel. We have tried several different starters and no luck. The teeth on the flywheel and starter bendix both look good.

This problem began slowly over a period of time. Any suggestions would help.

scooder · 08-27-2014, 12:34 PM

When you say won't engage, what is it doing? Is it just spinning away? Is it grinding? Is it trying to engage? Is it just going clunk, and jamming? Is it going clunk, and just stopping?
This will help diagnose the problem.
The ring gear on the flywheel, these have been known to move on the flywheel this can cause similar issues. I think some of the reproduction ones are too loose a fit, and don't stay put.
Martin.

FLA48 · 08-27-2014, 03:34 PM

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Problem solved.
Several years ago he changed the engine and converted the electrical system to 12 volts. When he installed the starter, he failed to install the small bracket at the front of the starter that secures it to the oil pan bolt.
Over the years, the torque from the starter bent/warped the lower face plate where the two main starter bolts attache to the oil pan by about 3/8 ths of an inch. The resulting shift caused the bendix to slowly move away from the flywheel and not be able to engage. Luckily, he has a spare oil pan and will install it on the car. I gave him a spare bracket I had so he can correct the starter instillation problem with his replacement oil pan.
Wow what a fiasco trying to figure that one out.

08-27-2014, 10:26 AM	#1
FLA48 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Conroe TX Posts: 170	Starter bendix not engaging On a 48, 59AB engine, the starter bendix stopped engaging in the flywheel. We have tried several different starters and no luck. The teeth on the flywheel and starter bendix both look good. This problem began slowly over a period of time. Any suggestions would help.

08-27-2014, 12:34 PM	#2
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,595	Re: Starter bendix not engaging When you say won't engage, what is it doing? Is it just spinning away? Is it grinding? Is it trying to engage? Is it just going clunk, and jamming? Is it going clunk, and just stopping? This will help diagnose the problem. The ring gear on the flywheel, these have been known to move on the flywheel this can cause similar issues. I think some of the reproduction ones are too loose a fit, and don't stay put. Martin.

08-27-2014, 03:34 PM	#3
FLA48 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Conroe TX Posts: 170	Re: Starter bendix not engaging Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Problem solved. Several years ago he changed the engine and converted the electrical system to 12 volts. When he installed the starter, he failed to install the small bracket at the front of the starter that secures it to the oil pan bolt. Over the years, the torque from the starter bent/warped the lower face plate where the two main starter bolts attache to the oil pan by about 3/8 ths of an inch. The resulting shift caused the bendix to slowly move away from the flywheel and not be able to engage. Luckily, he has a spare oil pan and will install it on the car. I gave him a spare bracket I had so he can correct the starter instillation problem with his replacement oil pan. Wow what a fiasco trying to figure that one out.