The Ford Barn

hueyhoolihan · 07-04-2025, 02:13 PM

the previous owner of my 1941 ford had a new starter motor and bendix installed. i've now determined that my hard starting problem was caused by the starter motor binding.

it's been verified by re-installing the old starter motor (i found it in the trunk) and noting that the starter would turn over the motor about twice as fast as the new one and for much longer.

upon disassembly of the new starter, i found about three or four shims on the shaft between it and the rear end of the starter housing.

does anyone have any idea as to go about adjusting the new starter's shims such that it will perform similar to the old one?

if you're wondering why i want to use the new one....well...the old one will only turn the motor over for about 7-10 seconds at a time. i could live with that, i guess, but i'd prefer not to.

the starter solenoid is new, as is the 6v optima battery, as are the 00 battery cables, as is the 6v voltage regulator.

07-04-2025, 02:13 PM	#1
hueyhoolihan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: central coast california Posts: 255	starter motor shims the previous owner of my 1941 ford had a new starter motor and bendix installed. i've now determined that my hard starting problem was caused by the starter motor binding. it's been verified by re-installing the old starter motor (i found it in the trunk) and noting that the starter would turn over the motor about twice as fast as the new one and for much longer. upon disassembly of the new starter, i found about three or four shims on the shaft between it and the rear end of the starter housing. does anyone have any idea as to go about adjusting the new starter's shims such that it will perform similar to the old one? if you're wondering why i want to use the new one....well...the old one will only turn the motor over for about 7-10 seconds at a time. i could live with that, i guess, but i'd prefer not to. the starter solenoid is new, as is the 6v optima battery, as are the 00 battery cables, as is the 6v voltage regulator.