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Old 01-07-2022, 05:46 AM   #1
Randy Lausch
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I have to hit starter switch two or three times before starter engages. All it does is make a running noise and then 3rd time the starter will kick in. Could that be the drive spring
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Old 01-07-2022, 06:57 AM   #2
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Sure. Take it out and see what is happening. Easy fix.
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Old 01-07-2022, 07:39 AM   #3
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Modern Bendix drives are available. There are ones that are better quality than others. The advantage with the modern drives is that they seem to be more reliable.
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Old 01-07-2022, 08:53 AM   #4
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So, is the general feeling that this is a better bendix to install?

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...6183&cat=41746
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Old 01-07-2022, 09:21 AM   #5
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Randy, When that happens generally the bendix gear is not getting thrown to engage in the ring gear. Pull the starter out and clean up the spirals/ threads that the gear runs on. They will get gummed up with dirt and not spin quite like it should. Then oil it, or spray it with WD 40 and that should fix that issue.

In my opinion the original set is better than the new replacement one. Call me stupid, but I was working on a friends car with one of the new set ups, and i could not get the starter to fit back in the hole for nothing. I had to take the side water inlet off in order for it to fit. Not a fan of it. I run 4 Model A's, all with the original bendix and i have broken one spring in over 100,000 miles combined over 40 years.
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Old 01-07-2022, 12:01 PM   #6
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In the 1950s, when we used Model As as daily drivers, in the cold weather the bendixs would hang up like that, when the engine was warm no problem. The solution was when shutting the car down to engage the starter bendix w/out starting the engine. That way when one went to start the cold engine the bendix would already be engaged.
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Old 01-08-2022, 10:11 AM   #7
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Default Re: Starter

If you opt for the modern starter drive, get the one made in the USA. The imports are not reliable.
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Old 01-08-2022, 11:49 AM   #8
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I will second what Bob said.
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Forget the brakes, they really don't work.
The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk.
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Old 01-10-2022, 03:09 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 31Tudor View Post
Randy, When that happens generally the bendix gear is not getting thrown to engage in the ring gear. Pull the starter out and clean up the spirals/ threads that the gear runs on. They will get gummed up with dirt and not spin quite like it should. Then oil it, or spray it with WD 40 and that should fix that issue.

In my opinion the original set is better than the new replacement one. Call me stupid, but I was working on a friends car with one of the new set ups, and i could not get the starter to fit back in the hole for nothing. I had to take the side water inlet off in order for it to fit. Not a fan of it. I run 4 Model A's, all with the original bendix and i have broken one spring in over 100,000 miles combined over 40 years.
I agree 100%, the new ones are very hard to get back in the starter hole and aligned up.

Any other out there voting for the new vs the old style?
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Old 01-10-2022, 04:00 PM   #10
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Default Re: Starter

Take it out and clean the thread the gear turns on, then give it a drop or 2 of very light oil, then wipe off excess, put starter back.
I have been using a stock starter drive I got out of trash for over 40 years, I used new bolts and lock plates.
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Old 01-10-2022, 07:32 PM   #11
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The “new modern barrel starter drive”.

Well supposedly. New and modern? Mine was graunchy from the very first start and with less than 50 starts failed to engage at times. I feel inclined to return to the Bendix type.
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Old 01-10-2022, 08:49 PM   #12
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The “new modern barrel starter drive”.

Well supposedly. New and modern? Mine was graunchy from the very first start and with less than 50 starts failed to engage at times. I feel inclined to return to the Bendix type.
Am I Robinson Crusoe?
Don't know who you are but you gave me a word I've never heard, "graunchy". I will use it often, thanks!
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Old 01-10-2022, 09:36 PM   #13
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Don't know who you are but you gave me a word I've never heard, "graunchy". I will use it often, thanks!
You'll like this. Maybe it is my own word meaning to graunch and my spell check kept insisting it should be spelt raunchy. I'm no English professor, I failed the most simple national school exam because I couldn't attain a minimum pass of 30!
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