VAC Starter Drive Bendix

Duane WI

Member
I have a 1948 VAC with the original style starter. It is converted to 12 volts. It seems to chew up the leading edge of the gear teeth on the Bendix. I measured the distance of the ring gear edge to the Bendix gear edge and there is about 3/8 inch. It seems to me that this is too much. The 12 volt gets the starter spinning too fast before the teeth can engage. I was thinking of trying to drive the ring gear back on the flywheel with a punch through the starter whole. How successful would that be? If it doesn't work or I go too far I will need to split the tractor to drive the ring gear back. Not a simple task. I also see that there is a new style ratchet Bendix. Would that fit? Does it work better?

Thanks for the help.
 
Im not sure about your ring gear but the shaft on my VAC starter is bent slightly and that lets it sometimes not engage properly and make a grinding noise.
 
All my older tractors run 12 volts. I'never had that issue, and would suspect a dirty/greased drive that is holding the gear back for a split second, allowing it to spin up before engagement.
 
Trying to move the ring gear that way is likely to get it so the ring gear sits cock eyed and that can and will cause odd problems.
 
I have this same problem with the starter on my Shaw. It will never engage on its own. Just grind the gears. I can reach around the guard and turn the bendix gear into the ring gear. Then I hit the starter and it will turn the engine over and start.
I have a 6 volt battery on it but not sure about this and thought about trying a 8 or 12 volt on it.
Also thought about putting a new bendix on it. Problem is I have no idea what number bendix it is.
 
12/1/16 I have a 1952 Case Vac. My starter drive has been grinding for years and if I grind it long enough or turn it over with the hand crank it would turn over. My starter drives would only last a year and I would replace, last time I got so desperate I reshaped the starter drive gear with a hand grinder and shimmed the starter. I just replace the clutch because all my throw was at the top. Thought it was the disc but all the spring steel clips broke off the pressure plate. Any way when I split the tractor I saw the flywheel had 20 sheared teeth. Went to get a used one on ebay for $150 and a guy I knew that works on old tractor said flip the ring gear on the flywheel. He told me to take a hand grinder and put a little bevel on the good side of the ring gear teeth , tap it off with a chisel and hammer ( You don't need to heat it) to take it off, take it off flip the ring gear, heat it up with a torch and it will go on , when it contracts the ring gear stays on. Put it back together, engine spins like a charm. I just did the brakes, not fun when the trans seals are bad and leak all over the shoes. Hope this helps.
Larry
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top