Need help with 1951 8N Starter

[RDunster]

I purchased a new starter and drive to install in my 8N. In handling the starter and drive, the gear portion of the drive has rotated toward the starter housing and will not twist back into position. Can this be installed with the drive in this position? Is there a way to move the gear portion of the drive back out toward the end of the shaft?

 

[Bruce (VA)]

It will go on w/ the bendix extended. Or, you can put the starter in a vice & spin it down w/ a wire brush on a drill.


To install the starter, keep it close to the block while pulling the front of it up and pushing the bendix back into the hole. The bendix has to go behind the flywheel; your job is to get it over the flywheel. Grinding out an egg shape at the 2 o'clock position before you put it back will make your life easier.

Lastly, while the starter is off, polish the block & starter mating surfaces w/ sandpaper to insure a good electrical ground between the two, and clean the mating surfaces where the starter's "belly" meets the aluminum endbell. The starter's ground circuit is through that "joint" as well was through the starter endbell-to-flywheel housing joint.
50 Tips

 

[Ken(Ark)]

I am a little fuzzy on the question , but the bendix shouldn't be stuck half way on the shaft .

I would test the unit half a dozen times by firmly holding it on the bench and testing the starter and bendix action with a battery and some jumper cables .

Make sure its working properly before you install it . Thats how I would hack at it , your mileage may vairy .

 

[D Squared]

I installed mine with the drive extended. No problem.