4000 starter drive

brickman

New User
I have a 1964 Ford 4000. I went to start it the other day and the starter just spun, would not engage the flywheel. After numerous attempts with the same results, I decided to pull the starter. What I found was the end retainer ring on the drive was missing. Not sure how that would even happen, but that's what I have. I looked as best I could for it in the engine but could not see anything. I got a magnetic pick up tool and fished around all I could but no luck. I can easily get a new starter drive, but I'm afraid of where the old retainer went. Would it get into anything and cause damage? Any ideas on finding it without braking the tractor apart? Do you think it would be ok to just be left in there?
 
It happens to all the N series tractors now and then too.
Some folks say its fine to leave it, others have pictures
of one with a hole in the bell housing purportedly from
the drive being caught and thrown by the flywheel.

To err on the side of caution, I always get them out when
they break on me. On the other hand, I've bought quite a
few used tractors and I don't take them apart to look for
broken drives. Who knows what the previous owner did.
 
thanks for the response. Any tips on getting it out without breaking tractor apart? Sounds like it would just be a gamble if I left it in there.
 
You are on the Best one...............I know very little but someone here know something about everything..ask them and they will tell U --I am the king of OT questions......because I get the answers Here.......
 
I know i'm on the right site, wouldn't have gone to any other. Was just referring to being in an N tractor forum and my tractor isn't. Didn't want to upset anyone. Just looking for some helpful knowledge.
 
"Didn't want to upset anyone."

I seriously doubt that you did.
Your post was a legitimate question regardless of the model.

I don't have much to offer in the way of tips.
I have used a magnet inside a rubber hose so it didn't stick to the
outside castings as bad. I've also tried taking the steering box off
for extra access. Other guys have cut holes in their bell housing.

I would split it before I cut a hole in the housing, but that's just me.
They're not that hard to split and put back.
Especially if you don't turn the engine or trans when split.
 
When you pulled the starter, were you missing just the retaining ring, or the whole end of the drive?

If it was just the retention ring, I would not worry about it.

If it was the entire drive end of the starter, I'd try to dig it out.
 

Posts on this forum over the years have indicated that it is very common to find starter parts in the bell housing when splitting old Fords/
 
Retention Ring is basically a flat washer, lots of them get replaced with flat washers if/when they come off..

I doubt that would put a hole in the case, it will probably find its way to the bottom and get stuck down by the weep hole.
 
That's what I'm hoping, that it's just laying flat in bottom of bell housing. I ordered a new drive from this site to fix the starter. I have turned the engine over by hand four or five times, nothing seems to be binding, and no metal on metal noise, so hope I'm good to start it.
 

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