8n bendix

[drdave]

After pulling the starter on my 47 8N I somehow got the bendix extended and can't get it back down. I read on an earlier post about overriding the bendix by using a bench grinder (?) Can someone give me a little more info. Thanks

 

[souNdguy]

On these units, the bendix 'sucks in' to engage the flywheel, and when the engine starts, it gets 'thrown out', as the engine overspeeds the starter drive, and it's dogs/pawls release and let it retract. You can put a wire brush wheel on a bench grinder .. or even a laminated cloth polishing bonnet made for a bench grinder.. the ide is to spin the bending in the direction of engine rotation and it should readilly kick out.

Soundguy

 

[Anonymous-0]

If you can reinstall starter with Bendix extended, the flywheel will spin it back when you start. No need to do the work to retract before installing.

 

[D Squared]

What Steve said. I re-installed mine extended. It will retract as soon as the engine starts

 

[drdave]

Thanks for the advice, it took a little wiggling but it worked as you said, after starting it worked fine. I know I read in this forum frequently about keeping the electric contacts clean and this was the case with my 'supposed' starter failure. After taking the starter out, bench testing it with the battery charger on 6v, only got a hum, no spin, disassembling it, learning the hard way how to replace brushes, pulling the bendix with a gear puller borrowed from a friend, ordering an after market starter that doesn't fit, then bench testing again, the right way with jumper cables and a fully charged battery, got strong spin, replaced 'opened' bendix refitting starter on tractor and cleaning all contacts, noticed the ground strap was partially corroded from traces of acid on the battery top I replaced both the positive ground strap with a new 2ga and 1ga battery cable problem solved excellent starting power now. Cables $37.50, Starter motor $108.95, time 7 1/2hrs sense of satisfaction when my 8n comes back to life.... priceless! p.s. changing brushes is not so hard if you retract the restraining spring from the back of the brush and pull the brush out by its wires, easy to reach with a six inch hemostat

 

[Anonymous-0]

Congratulations on the successful surgery!
One note though- you mention "1 ga" batt'y cable; not sure if you missed the correct size for more reliable starting is one aught (1/0 AWG)cable. 1 AWG is about .29in dia of Cu, 1/0 is about .33in dia. Both will work, but the 1/0 has about 25% more cross sectional area for better starting.