Installing a new Carpenter starter in a 1952 pickup

[1927Tudor]

Spent the last few months getting caught up with some other projects so I could make some room to start on the 52 Pickup. First order of business was to get the truck so that I could move it around the shop easily during disassembly.

I picked up a new six volt starter from Denis Carpenter, pulled the old one out, and was a little surprised to find this inside the box for the new starter....

Before I start removing material from the bell housing based on somebody's doodling, anybody ever install one of these new starters? Any more detailed instructions than a hand drawn scribble? It's a little disappointing what gets labelled as restoration parts...

Thanks.

[alanwoodieman]

Hey, consider yourself lucky, the first ones of these did not EVEN have this crude drawing. In my experience about half of the ones I have put on require grinding, which can be done without removing the plate

[1927Tudor]

Ok, the "quality fit" of this reproduction part aside, where specifically do you grind, and how much material needs to be removed? The doodle is a little light on specifics...

Thanks,

Chris

[A bones]

I believe it calls for an old time process ( with all due respect, don't shoot the messenger ) called "cut and try". Welcome to the world of fabrication.

[big job]

We installed one couple yrs ago If I remember correctly using a die grinder to nip a little off the outside of the hole its grind and try. Its all because the bendex is a little fatter
than the origional - but it will go then cock the starter to the block you will see where
it may need a little more grinding. Thats what we had to do........sam

[Mart]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Trial and error, a little bit at a time.

Sometimes you just have to work it out for yourself.

At least you will get a sense of satisfaction when it all goes together and works.

Mart.

[37 Cab]

I used an original style Bendix on mine. They worked great for many years before someone decided to reinvent the wheel... No problems and no grinding.

[chap52]

What 37Cab said.

[Barry-ct]

Just have your original rebuilt or find a good used one. Millions still around. Send the Carpenter one back.

[4t8v8]

I lost two original ones before giving up. Broken springs. Went to the new one a few years ago and never looked back. I used a die grinder and a little trial and error. Set the starter in the hole and saw the best place to grind. A little work but, to me, well worth it.

[1927Tudor]

I appreciate everyone's replies, thank you. The original starter has a broken copper field post, and several chipped teeth on the bendix. I'll give the grinding a shot, I was trying to avoid it at this point as the truck is not on the hoist, but looks like it's the only viable option at this point...

[1927Tudor]

Ended up installing the new starter with the old bendix so I could get the truck on the hoist. Thanks for the suggestion 37 cab.