The Ford Barn

Cape Codder · 10-03-2012, 06:09 PM

After cleaning the starter armature with sandpaper do I have to CUT each section like is done on generators?
Thanks for your time.
Joe Grobleski

Tom Wesenberg · 10-03-2012, 07:20 PM

NO! Starters should NOT be undercut. The copper brushes and stiffer springs will keep the insulating material worn away. I had to repair an armature where someone had undercut the commutator and the gap filled with copper and shorted.

meskhov · 10-03-2012, 07:50 PM

Joe:
Did you end up going with that inserted motor from Skokie?
Let e know as I am considering one now and wanted some opinions from users.
Thanks

tbirdtbird · 10-03-2012, 08:02 PM

Tom is right on the money, never undercut a starter commutator. When I was a kid a hundred years ago I worked in a starter-gen-carb shop of which they don't exist any more.

jmeckel · 10-03-2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbirdtbird

Tom is right on the money, never undercut a starter commutator. When I was a kid a hundred years ago I worked in a starter-gen-carb shop of which they don't exist any more.

I am happy to report one does exist (well at least the gen, starter part, I do not know if he works on carbs, never asked him about a carb) and it is in Centuria WI. The guy who runs it is great, provides great service and has very fair pricing. I have used him when I don't have the time to do the work myself. As a bonus he has some old cars sitting around that he works on from time to time.

Willie Krash · 10-04-2012, 12:05 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I own a starter/alternator shop.
I would not bother undercutting a starter armature. BTW the practice went away in the 70's when Delco introduced the molded comm. Not much copper and undercutting destroyed the armature.

Cape Codder · 10-04-2012, 02:11 PM

Thanks to all for the response and opinions. I thought I had read that some where NOT to do it but wasn't sure.
Thanks again,
Joe Grobleski

Cool Hand Lurker · 10-04-2012, 09:53 PM

I have seen starter commutators where the discoloration due to sparking starts after passing the mica insulator. That tells me that the brushes are bouncing because of the mica. After turning them on the lathe, I undercut them a little but no more than 1/32" .

10-03-2012, 06:09 PM	#1
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,262	Starter Armature After cleaning the starter armature with sandpaper do I have to CUT each section like is done on generators? Thanks for your time. Joe Grobleski

10-03-2012, 07:20 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Starter Armature NO! Starters should NOT be undercut. The copper brushes and stiffer springs will keep the insulating material worn away. I had to repair an armature where someone had undercut the commutator and the gap filled with copper and shorted.

10-03-2012, 07:50 PM	#3
meskhov Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 37	Re: Starter Armature Joe: Did you end up going with that inserted motor from Skokie? Let e know as I am considering one now and wanted some opinions from users. Thanks

10-03-2012, 08:02 PM	#4
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Starter Armature Tom is right on the money, never undercut a starter commutator. When I was a kid a hundred years ago I worked in a starter-gen-carb shop of which they don't exist any more. __________________ '31 180A

10-04-2012, 12:05 AM	#6
Willie Krash Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Phoenix, Oregon Posts: 661	Re: Starter Armature Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I own a starter/alternator shop. I would not bother undercutting a starter armature. BTW the practice went away in the 70's when Delco introduced the molded comm. Not much copper and undercutting destroyed the armature.

10-04-2012, 02:11 PM	#7
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,262	Re: Starter Armature Thanks to all for the response and opinions. I thought I had read that some where NOT to do it but wasn't sure. Thanks again, Joe Grobleski

10-04-2012, 09:53 PM	#8
Cool Hand Lurker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Minn Posts: 1,565	Re: Starter Armature I have seen starter commutators where the discoloration due to sparking starts after passing the mica insulator. That tells me that the brushes are bouncing because of the mica. After turning them on the lathe, I undercut them a little but no more than 1/32" .