I've never had one fail on me before. What I have read indicates it either works or not (broken spring...then just spins).

But recently, sometimes when I go to start a cold engine, it cranks for awhile, and then just about the time it would normally catch, the motor stops cranking & I hear the starter spinning free. After a couple-three attempts, it starts normally. Once the engine is warm, it always catches instantly, so no worries there. Anyone had this symptom before (with a starter bendix?), and if so, how long do I likely have before it quits working completely and strands me? I have a spare NOS bendix put away, but since I plan to pull the engine this winter anyway (hopefully), I would hate to have to change the starter now if it will keep on working intermittently for some time yet.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Dan, "You pays YER money and you take your chances"!

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

If you redo the engine, put in a mini high torque - I love mine.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Daniel.  Sounds like the ‘fine’ teeth on the bendix internals are worn just enough to allow disengagement.  The bendix will eventually need to be changed out if this is the case.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks Ted,



I guess (like I found with the syncro teeth in my orig. trans.), nothing lasts forever. A lot of hard 6 volt starting on this bendix.



Question: Are bendix rebuild parts readily available, or is tooth wear the kiss of death for the core? Do rebuilders mostly just clean, lube, inspect, & install a fresh spring? I just remembered my spare is actually a rebuilt.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Paul,



You have a 12 volt system, right?

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Once it goes for good your dead in the water. Changing it on the side of the road is no fun.

Dan      Kingman Az.      86409

Paul,



You have a 12 volt system, right?[/quote]



Yes - now I see that you have a 6 volt system

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

If you want a good job and great people to deal with for flathead and y block starters contact Vern davidson or his son at www.fordflathead.com he does excellent work and will also buy your starter cores if you have extra and tells you how to ship the best and cheapest way he is out of Clifton,Co.          later      Laroy

From Vern's website: "Folks, unfortunately the time has come to start the shut down shop."

Gerald Ingram aka "Gritsngumbo"
Monroe, LA
LITTLE RED: 64 Ford F100 Short Bed Styleside
BIG RED: 63 Ford F100 Long Bed Unibody
BBW RED: 61 Ford F100 BBW Long Bed Custom Cab Unibody
BIG “UN: 63 F250 Longbed Flareside
CREW CAB: 63 F100 "Stageway" Crew Cab w/Long "Wrong" Bed