New starter spline

[Seb TN]

I got a new starter with the new spline shaft for 8N. When I got the starter I rotated the spline down the shaft to see how it worked. It went down ok, but I can't get it to move back up the shaft more than a quarter of the way. Any suggestion?

 

[souNdguy]

You've partially engaged it.. you can either fight/finess it back in as is, or try using a wire cup in a drillpress to spin the drive back out. Normall the starter spins the flywheel, and when it starts it overspeeds the drive and that releases it and kicks it back.

Soundguy

 

[Bruce (VA)]

What is a starter spline? Are you talking about the bendix gear? You can hold the gear up to a wire brush on your bench grinder & spin it in the direction that the engine turns & it will retract. Or, just put back extended. It will retract when the engine starts.
50 Tips

 

[Seb TN]

Does it have some kind of centrigufal mechanism that that keeps it from retracting until a certain rpm is reached. Because I can physcially twist it around and it will go up, but only about a quarter of the way then it is a dead stop like something is blocking it.. If it stays in the position it is in, it looks like the gear will have to go right into the flywheel and not behind it when it is installed. Thanks for you help. Seb TN

 

[souNdguy]

It has pawls.. or dogs that catch.. so yes.

Remember.. the drive engages the 'back' of the flywheel, as the drive 'sucks' in toward the starter.

soundguy

 

[RDunster]

I have encountered the exact same problem. I have tried to install it with the bendix gear extended, but was not able to get the starter and drive all the way into position. Seems like it is hitting the flywheel and not able to go up over and past the flywheel. I am not exactly sure that I understand the technique of using a wire brush on a bench grinder to spin the drive and cause the bendix gear to retract. Bruce, could you elaborate on that some?

 

[D Squared]

You will find a post with this problem about once a month here. I installed mine extended without any problems. When the motor starts it will retract.

 

[souNdguy]

Uh.. kinda hard to break that procedure down any easier than to say that you put a brush wheel on a bench grinder or drill press and then hold the starter bendix to it so that it will spin the bendix in the direction it would spin when the engine starts.. The wire brush won't damage the bendix.. but will 'grab' it to spin it a bit.

To get the bendix around the flywheel, some people have made an elongation of the hole into the bellhousing at the 2'oclock position, when you stare into the hole.. use of a round file or die grinder is the easiest way to do this.. however.. taking the block drain off also helps you get some more angle onthe starter shaft.. etc.

Soundguy