8BA starter w/ new drive

[Wingfield]

Just bought a new starter with a new type drive. The insructions say I may need to relieve the larger sleeve around .010 to get it past the ring gear. I've done that and it still doesn't clear.
Does anyone have an idea what my bell housing is off of?
I'm thinking of cutting a window in the housing to get the rive past the ring gear, what do you guys think?

[19Fordy]

Hard to say based on photo. That could be the 49-51 Merc steel bell housing and starter plate which is commonly used to adapt 49-53 Merc and Ford v-8s to early Ford transmissions. What is the advantage of your "new type drive" instead of the Bendix original which is a bolt in? This might help.
http://www.flatheadv8.org/bellhousing.pdf
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...rc+bellhousing

[Wingfield]

It's the stamped steel type with a 39 tranny. The new drive isn't suppost to hang up as much, I guess.

[George/Maine]

First off did the old starter work ok,and do you still have it.
Your new drive maybe just to big and wrong one.From the pic looks like it would go any farther right.
This has nothing to do with your problem,but I just got one of those new style high torque very small and use 12 volt.Mine is from Flatomatic,Speedway has one looks the same.It looks like a lawnmower starter but works good.It drives from the out side in.

[oldskool]

i had the same problem , grinding was no help.i called mac's tech line,they said i may have an oversized ring gear i bought an original style bendix drive,problem solved

[B Duncan]

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I have installed a new modern drive in my 53 F-100. It has the cast bellhousing. The fit was very tight, but I didn't have to grind any to clear. I like it. It sure beats replacing a drive spring every year.

[Cecil/WV]

I put one on a '50 Ford. it went on tight but then the starter was defective and I couldn't get it off. I had to take the starter plate loose to get it off. Starter was replaced free and I put the original bendix on and all is ok

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by B Duncan

I have installed a new modern drive in my 53 F-100. It has the cast bellhousing. The fit was very tight, but I didn't have to grind any to clear. I like it. It sure beats replacing a drive spring every year.

If you are replacing drives every year, you've got some other problem. I still have the same one after 17 years and that is with 12 volts.