|
|
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 30
Grease Monkey
|
OP
Grease Monkey
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 30 |
From time to time my starter will lock-up my engine. This typically happens when my battery is low and apparently does not have enough juice to get my Bendix pinion to spin back from the flywheel. I fix lock-up by removing and reinstalling the starter. Anybody have any suggestions on how to eliminate this lock-up issue? Hopefully there will be suggestions beyond the obvious which is to always have a strong battery. :-)
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
|
|
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
Check the two bolts that mount the starter. You may also have a 'dragging' starter which needs both bushings.  
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,472 Likes: 26
ChatMaster - 7,000
|
|
ChatMaster - 7,000
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,472 Likes: 26 |
Check the splines on the pinion and starter and the bendix spring and bolts.
Steve D
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 86
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 86 |
I had the exact same problem on my 1930. I installed a new Bendix and that did not help. It turned out to be the Battery ground cable was corroded and to small to do the job. There just wasn't enough power to spin the starter fast enough. A new heavy ground strap fixed the problem. Having big enough and clean battery cables is so important.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374 Likes: 30
ChatMaster - 4,000
|
|
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374 Likes: 30 |
I had the same issue, and the same solution
if battery is low and can NOT spin starter hard enough to start engine, then bendix gear gets stuck out and have to remove starter and manually spin it back down, then reinstall. then engine spinning and starting up, spins the bending gear back in the starter.
AACA - VCCA - Stovebolt - ChevyTalk
Love the Antique Chevrolet's from 1928-1932
The Beauty, Simplicity, History, and the Stories they Tell
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,863
Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
|
|
Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,863 |
The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 437 Likes: 1
Backyard Mechanic
|
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 437 Likes: 1 |
include a new bushing in the nose cone. Looking in the Filling Station online catalogue they only show a starter bushing commutator end, part #AF-40. Where can you get the nose cone bushing?
Paul
If it isn't broken, fiddle with it anyway so you have something to repair.
1931 Deluxe Sport Roadster
1953 BelAir 4 dr. Sedan
1965 Chevy II Nova SS
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,863
Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
|
|
Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,863 |
The Filling Station catalog is in error. There is no bushing used in the commutator end housing from the factory. The only bushing used for the 1931 starter is in the nose cone. You can get the correct nose cone bushing on the Internet or from your local starter shop.   
The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 309
Backyard Mechanic
|
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 309 |
Billy Possum has a newly manufactured Bendix Drive. Works great for those problem starters. http://www.billypossum.com/c&p_catalog/c&p_catalog_rev_031225.htm1925-1934 Heavy Duty Bendix Drive Assembly with Spring. These heavy duty starter drives differ only slightly from the original in that they have a spring that is less likely to break. Also an improvement has been made in the way the drive gear is returned. p/n 342793 … $59.25
My Chevy is over 70 years old and still running great. I hope I keep running cuz I just turned 81 !!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 191
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 191 |
Years ago, my uncle had a Model A which would do the same thing. His solution, if he were stuck somewhere away from home, was to put the pickup in third and give it enough of a shove to nudge the engine. This would usually work to free up the pinion in an emergency.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 584
Oil Can Mechanic
|
|
Oil Can Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 584 |
I've had this happen as well. You don't have to take the starter off. You can put the crank in the crank hole and manually free the engine. Make sure the car is in neutral!
Youth is wasted on the young
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
|
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
When mine got stuck, I would put it in 3rd gear, and go to the front of the car. Then by pushing on the radiator, I'd "rock" the car a little bit. That frequently got the pinion to snap back and then let me try the starter again.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,774 Likes: 4
ChatMaster - 1,500
|
|
ChatMaster - 1,500
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,774 Likes: 4 |
When mine got stuck, I would put it in 3rd gear, and go to the front of the car. Then by pushing on the radiator, I'd "rock" the car a little bit. That frequently got the pinion to snap back and then let me try the starter again.  I haven't had this happen for years but that is what I did and it worked!
Ed
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 584
Oil Can Mechanic
|
|
Oil Can Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 584 |
My car's like me, it doesn't like getting pushed around and it's always pretty cranky so I stick with the hand crank.
Youth is wasted on the young
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 30
Grease Monkey
|
|
OP
Grease Monkey
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 30 |
Thanks for all your suggestions these are great! My grandfather rebuilt the starter so I will assume for now it is mechanically sound. Putting it in third gear and giving it a push is a great idea. Now I have less concern that the starter will stranding me while I am out on the town!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
|
|
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
Please don't use the phrase "go to the front and push on the RADIATOR", that is how many radiators get dented as the radiator material is very soft and easy to dent.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 127
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
|
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 127 |
i had a similar starter problem: severe drag and consequent battery drain. cause: a warn starter bushing that cocked the engaging angle to the ring gear. starter rebuild at Acme Electric (seattle) solved the problem although we did suffer some ring gear tooth damage; chose to ignore that for now. pax, jim '30 coupe
jf lewis
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 309
Backyard Mechanic
|
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 309 |
There's a guy here in Tallahassee who fixes ring gears for Chevys. He did my '31 and it's been fine ever since.
My Chevy is over 70 years old and still running great. I hope I keep running cuz I just turned 81 !!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,863
Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
|
|
Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,863 |
The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3
Grease Monkey
|
|
Grease Monkey
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3 |
I had the same issue. The starter was not pulling back from the ring gear. When i checked the teeth on the ring gear, there was a burr on a number of the teeth holding the starter gear from pulling back. I filed the ring gear to get rid of all the burrs, and now it works wonderfully.
|
|
|
|
|
