rossow (mn)
Member
Has anyone tried the starter that engages from the front, not back, of flywheel? (It is made in Utah and described as "12 Volt Ford Tractor Gear Reduction Mini Starter.")
My 1951 8N won't let starters engage. They just spin. Background: 12-volt conversion; tried two starters with three different Bendixes; both starters work normally in another tractor, as do the cables; connections are clean; multimeter shows similar readings on both tractors when sitting and cranking. I have moved the flywheel ahead literally a couple of teeth at a time with a hand crank with the same result. Teeth on flywheel have some slightly sharp edges on the engagement side but are not chipped, chewed up, deeply worn or missing. But when I shim the starter out about 3/16th-inch with washers on the two mounting bolts the engine cranks wonderfully. That obviously shows the Bendix isn't engaging the flywheel unless shimmed.
Considering the result with two starters that work fine on one tractor, not on the other, I don't know what to conclude other than a flywheel that looks OK but isn't. Since no teeth are missing or excessively worn, I'm considering one of the mini starters. The cost (about $60 more than a regular starter) would be worth it if I could avoid splitting the tractor to replace the flywheel or cobbling the starter with shims. So... have you had experience with these "from the front" starters vs. the originals that engage from the back of the flywheel? I'm interested in your experiences as I weigh my options. Thanks for any input.
My 1951 8N won't let starters engage. They just spin. Background: 12-volt conversion; tried two starters with three different Bendixes; both starters work normally in another tractor, as do the cables; connections are clean; multimeter shows similar readings on both tractors when sitting and cranking. I have moved the flywheel ahead literally a couple of teeth at a time with a hand crank with the same result. Teeth on flywheel have some slightly sharp edges on the engagement side but are not chipped, chewed up, deeply worn or missing. But when I shim the starter out about 3/16th-inch with washers on the two mounting bolts the engine cranks wonderfully. That obviously shows the Bendix isn't engaging the flywheel unless shimmed.
Considering the result with two starters that work fine on one tractor, not on the other, I don't know what to conclude other than a flywheel that looks OK but isn't. Since no teeth are missing or excessively worn, I'm considering one of the mini starters. The cost (about $60 more than a regular starter) would be worth it if I could avoid splitting the tractor to replace the flywheel or cobbling the starter with shims. So... have you had experience with these "from the front" starters vs. the originals that engage from the back of the flywheel? I'm interested in your experiences as I weigh my options. Thanks for any input.