Ferguson TO35 starter rebuild or replace??

[BigstarATX]

Hey guys. I bought a Ferguson TO-35 last year and drove it around for a couple hours and parked it. When I went to start it the next day the solenoid would click like many have had happen as I can see. I went through the checklist….checked wiring, cleaned up grounds, new battery, etc. I finally just pulled the starter off and saw the splines were stuck open. It took quite a bit of prying to get it to pop back in. I greased the shaft and splines and stuck it back in the tractor and YES! got it to turn over. I almost ran the battery dead trying to start it and then it stuck again and all I had was the solenoid click again. My question is do I rebuild the starter or just buy a new one? Who has the best starter at the best price??

Also….. since I couldn’t get it to fire up and it’s been sitting for a year should I spray some starting fluid in there? Where would I spray it?? Any tips or advice on getting this old girl fired up?? Thanks and cheers y’all

 

[TimothyF]

I have always preferred to give business to the local alternator/starter rebuild shop. It keeps them in business for when you truly need them. Internet prices for a replacement seem to be $160-350 range so get a quote from your local guy first. Is your starter 6v or 12v? If you can't get it started after cranking, sounds like you have other issues to address as well. Spark or fuel issues need to be checked?

 

[Jim L WA]

I have always preferred to give business to the local alternator/starter rebuild shop. It keeps them in business for when you truly need them. Internet prices for a replacement seem to be $160-350 range so get a quote from your local guy first. Is your starter 6v or 12v? If you can't get it started after cranking, sounds like you have other issues to address as well. Spark or fuel issues need to be checked?

Totally agree with Timothy. Another point besides keeping the local guy in business is, you don't know where a replacement starter comes from. If it's from the land of almost right, then it might almost fit.

 

[BigstarATX]

It’s 12V converted. I drove the tractor and parked it under the tree. I figure the gas has gone bad after a year and a half. If I spray starter fluid where do I spray it? Into the tube coming out of the back of the dash?

 

[pomester]

It’s 12V converted. I drove the tractor and parked it under the tree. I figure the gas has gone bad after a year and a half. If I spray starter fluid where do I spray it? Into the tube coming out of the back of the dash?

The second picture shows your air cleaner to be missing. Spray starter fluid into the metal tube leading down to the carburetor. That will tell you if you have spark. Maybe consider draining the gas and putting some fresh in there? Carburetor has a plug on the bottom, remove it and see if you have good fuel flow, you should catch a pint or so in minute.

Another vote to rebuild your starter. If you choose not too don't scrap it, put it out there on marketplace or somewhere, that model of starter is desired by restorers.

Do you have the air cleaner? If not, you'll want to get one when you get to using the tractor, it doesn't take a lot of dirty air to ruin things. I've seen them on eBay, not sure what's there right now.

 

[BigstarATX]

Thanks for the quick responses y’all… I knew I could count on you. YEs I have the air filter although the top rubber boot that plugs in top the rear of the dash is a little torn. I’ll look in the Austin area for a starter rebuilder. Thanks again. Cheers

 

[Tom H.]

Thanks for the quick responses y’all… I knew I could count on you. YEs I have the air filter although the top rubber boot that plugs in top the rear of the dash is a little torn. I’ll look in the Austin area for a starter rebuilder. Thanks again. Cheers

Look here or any of the other tractor parts catalog and you can get the correct parts for the air intake.

 

[Tom H.]

Ps. I’ve found a lot of parts on eBay.

Tom

 

[BigstarATX]

Have any of you guys ever rebuilt your OWN starter? Before I drop $400 on this thing just thought I’d ask…

 

[pomester]

Have any of you guys ever rebuilt your OWN starter? Before I drop $400 on this thing just thought I’d ask…

I have replaced brushes and bushings - not a bad job. If replacing field windings and armatures you get into procuring parts that are not readily available to us common mechanics. Shops have the machine to turn armatures. I was told that the nose is no longer available, so if that is broken you are looking at replacing and the replacement starter will be of a different model/appearance and likely of overseas manufacture.
I had this same model starter rebuilt professionally less than two months ago for $250. The shop described the unit I brought in to be serviced as "real humble", as in needing lots of work/parts.

 

[BigstarATX]

Well my spline shaft? Is sticking open. Not sure what it needs. When I used a screw driver to unlock the spline shaft I re-installed the starter and it engaged when I pushed the start button several times. Then it stuck again and all I got was a click when I would push the button. Not sure if something needs to be machined or what??/

 

[Jim L WA]

I'm not a T0-35 guy, but it sounds like you have something else going on. Usually when the engine starts the flywheel spins the starter drive back home. You said you cleaned all the battery cable connections did you also clean the battery posts? The TO-35 must have a solenoid? It could be going bad or the starter it self might have a bad spot in it. Try tapping it with a hammer and see if it will spin over.
You could try jumpering past the solenoid to prove it good or bad.

 

[BigstarATX]

I ground the grounding point with a sanding wheels. The battery is new. When I pulled the starter out it was a b!tch to get the splines back in. Once I did I could easily engage and disengage the splines. Then I put the starter back in the tractor. I engaged and disengaged the starter several times. Then it just stuck again. When I pulled the starter the 2nd time the splines were stuck open again. I had to use a screw driver to get them to go back in. Does that not seem like it is an issue with the starter?

 

[Tom H.]

Check with local auto parts stores. They may have a rebuild shop fo your starter.

Tom

 

[BigstarATX]

Happy Easter y’all.. Well I finally got around to taking the starter apart today. It was actually pretty clean inside but the spring that pulls the spline back in seems to be getting stuck occasionally. I took some fine sand paper and cleaned the shaft and brightened up the contacts a little. I am going o get some WD40 tomorrow to spray in there and hope it makes things work a little better. Does anyone know if there is a way to replace the spline spring? Is there “supposed” to be a lot of pull on it or does the engine kick the spline back into the starter? It feels like the spline gear is getting “jammed” in the open position occasionally.

 

[Tramway Guy]

A lot of those drives had to be spun at a certain RPM in order to disengage from the flywheel gear. So it would not go back just pushing it by hand. Called a Folo-Thru drive. To avoid kicking out prematurely.

 

[BigstarATX]

I cleaned everything up inside the starter and put it back together today. I’ll give her a try tomorrow. Thanks y’all