Starter issue. (My daughter is a gearhead)

[mybros71]

Yes indeed, that's my 13 year old girl troubleshooting the starter motor out of her '71. She pulled it, inspected it and tested it. She put it back in and it still doesn't engage every time. I thought it looked good and bench tested fine, (bendix actuates, teeth in good shape, ect.) The starter bolts were loose when we pulled it out so I thought that might have caused the problem. I think she needs a new starter, but I wanted to ask what the experts think about replacing the drive assembly instead.

Thanks for the input,

Tony

[70_F100]

If the starter spins every time, but there's no grinding, it's probably the drive (bendix). That's easy to replace. Just take off the plunger cover, remove the pivot pin, remove the long bolts that hold everything together, and the drive is held on by a thrust washer and snap ring. (The thrust washer locks over the snap ring) Reassembly is the reverse of teardown. Alternately, just replace the starter.

If you're getting a grinding noise, check the flywheel for damaged teeth.

[Thunderfoot]

If the teeth were good on the Flywheel it's probably just the "starter drive"

[fordman]

here is a similar thread to yours. i am not saying any of this is your problem but it may help. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 59#p468059

[mrsnicks]

If it spins every time you turn the key, but doesn't engage the fly wheel everytime I would assume some of the teeth on the fly wheel are bad. You say you checked the teeth on the bendix and they look good, and you tested it so that it spins and pushes out so that would be my guess.

Patrick

[OldRedFord]

The starter could be out of position like mine was. I bench tested it and looked at the ring gear on the motor. Then loosely bolted up the starter and shoved it twards the drivers side and tightened it down.