D14 Bendix/Ring gear questions

[DuckHunterJon]

Hi all, new member here. I was recently gifted an AC D14 from a good neighbor who unfortunately can no longer use it. It’s in pretty decent shape, only real issue is he told me he has to rock it or pry the ring gear around a few teeth to get the starter to engage. Done that a few times but I want to fix it right. I pulled the starter out and both the bendix gear and ring gear are pretty thrashed. So I’ve been reading and understand the two different combinations. This is a 1958, originally a 6V, converted to 12 volt. The bendix gear that came out was a 10 tooth. Not positive yet, I will count it, but I imagine the ring gear is the 93 tooth. My question is, if I’m replacing both, should I keep with the 10/93 combo, or should I install the 9/116 gears.

Follow up question, I see a couple different types of bendix assemblies available. One looks like it has a spring that wraps around it and a shaft that extends beyond the gear. The other is more like what I pulled out where the spring is enclosed and nothing protrudes past the gear (I’ll try to post a picture of the one I removed). Both types say they are compatible with a D14.



Third question, then I promise I’ll pause - any place recommended over another to purchase these? Amazon has several options, but not sure I trust much coming from them.

Thanks!

Jon Hunter

 

[Jim.ME]

Welcome to the forums.

I am not sure that the two flywheels the ring gears go on are the same which would allow changing the ring gear and starter drive. DrAllis will likely be along and have an answer on that.

As for where to purchase parts, PartsASAP/Yesterday's Tractor, which provide this site, sell parts.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Thanks, that’s exactly what I was concerned with. It turns over plenty fast with the 6V gear set. I think the lower gear set would be smoother engaging, but wasn’t sure if the pitch dimension was the same. Going to split it and see, but that won’t be for a couple weeks with kids summer schedules!

 

[Jim.ME]

If you convert it to the 12-volt ring gear and starter drive, I believe you will want to convert to the 12-volt starter with the 9-tooth Bendix, not just change the Bendix on your 6-volt starter.

If you take your 6-volt starter to a shop that rebuilds starters, they should be able to convert it to 12-volt which should lessen the harsh engagement, which is common for a 6-volt starter on 12-volts.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Thanks, I hadn’t thought of converting the starter motor as well. My Farmall H was converted at some point and engages very smoothly. I wonder if the starter was rewound for 12 V - I suppose that would make sense. More research to come!