Farmall H Starter

Chad504 · May 14, 2009

So I went to start the H the other day, and the starter just spins. I've never tore into one, what do I need to look for in troubleshooting it? I suspect it's a bendix issue, but any tips would be great!

Janicholson · May 14, 2009

Two possible realities one goodish the other bad.
If the starter drive is bad, replace it with a clutch (new style) drive. Much improved.
The worst is if the ring gear is stripped off.
4 cyl tractors come to rest in one of 4 spots, and the ring gear gets far more wear there. Ring gears require splitting the tractor to repair. If there is 50% of the tooth lengthe remaining it might be repaired with the drive alone. If not, the ring gear will need to be replaced. JimN

Bob M · May 14, 2009

It's a bendix issue indeed.

You might get lucky and find the pinion's simply jammed into the "home" position on the starter. Suggest removing the starter and see if the pinion is stuck. If it is work it loose on the bendix spiral. Then clean it and give the spiral a thin coat of light oil (hydraulic or tranny fluid works well).

Or you may also find the drive has broken (they do sometimes...) Any good starter shop can replace it for $50 or so. Just make sure it's for a Farmall H or M (these turn backward relative to most other bendix drive starters)

It's very unlikely the ring gear has broken. Ring gears usually fail slowly over several years - not all at once. You'll get random and intermittant grinding, starter non-engagement or jamming etc. These gradually increase in frequency until one day the starter simply won't drive the ring gear anymore.

Bob M · May 14, 2009

Hey Jim - A quick clarification: 4 cylinder engine cranks stop in either of 2 spots, not 4. Consequently these engines' ring gears generally show the worst wear in 2 places 180 deg apart.

Bob

Mike Farmer · May 14, 2009

I have no wish to cause offence but, May I presume to differ with the statement "come to rest in one of four spots" I would suggest that the engine will come to rest in only two spots. However I am still a willing learner. MTF

Roy Ward · May 14, 2009

Thanks Bob I didn't know that. I guess because 2 pistons are up at a time. Interesting

Bob M · May 14, 2009

You got it Roy!

A 4 stroke engine takes 2 complete revolutions of the crank to fire all it's cylinders.

4 cylinders divided by 2 crank revolutions = 2 cylinders firing per revolution; or a cylinder firing every 1/2 revolution of the crank.

Now since there's a cylinder is going up in compression every 1/2 revolution these are the spots where the crank likes to stop.

---

Someplace I've got a worn-out ring gear I took off a Super H a few years ago. It shows the 180 deg wear pattern pretty well. If anyone is interested (and if I can find it!) I'll post a photo...

teddy52food · May 14, 2009

2 spots not 4 on a 4 cylinder inline engine.

Janicholson · May 14, 2009

I sit corrected by golly. No excuses. Jim

Dan G · May 14, 2009

I did the same thing to my starter....sheared the main shaft inside it.....hit the button and....ziiiinnnng.....
broke it in half. I got a guy that does starters, generators..and such...rebuilt it for me for 90$ bucks. good as new. The starter was original...not bad for 60 years. Not sure what you guys are talkin about with different positions....maybe I'm not talking about the same starter problem.

Best..
Dan in PA

Chad504 · May 15, 2009

I pulled the started, ring gear was if great shape. I went ahead and pulled and cleaned the entire starter. The drive has a broken bolt, in the back half, where it attaches at the winding side. It's a bendix 2857. took me a few minutes to get it out, looks like it worked loose, and snapped. now I've gotta call and fine one.

rustyfarmall · May 15, 2009

Do a Google search for "Farmall starter drive"

Farmall H Starter

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