Starter motor 1955, wir wir wir cliunk

[mfc]

Was doing the static timing thing after some valve work and had the car running but idling to slow[to slow to get to the engine bay before it stalled out]
Long story short I gave the starter a fair workout then Klack ...starter locked on flywheel and not turning, engine locked up.....
After the instant fear of I’ve rodgered the engine I calmed down and figured it’s the starter so pulled it this morning
..locked in the flywheel position.
Now I have one with Jamed pinion[1954 type with bendex drive sleave ] and one 1956 ish non bendex one of unknown condition
Question is it posible to swap the starter drive mechanisms between starters if the later one is electrically buggered?
Regards mark

[JDNSW]

Provided they are the same model, yes.

But actual damage to the bendix on these starters is very rare. Jammed bendixes are not uncommon - early starters had a protruding square on the other end of the shaft to disengage them.

Bbut the almost invariable reason for jamming is oil on the spiral thread. This must be clean and dry, but rust free. Graphite powder is your friend. A less likely issue is the spring broken or jammed (or both).

[LR1953]

From memory you turn that square end on the shaft clockwise (ie reverse of usual direction of rotation) to free up the Bendix sleeve. In my experience poor battery voltage was a contributor.
Cheers Rob S

[1950landy]

Yes low battery voltage or timing incorrect. Some times you can get the Bendix to disengage by putting in top gear with hand brake off , ignition off & rocking car back & forward.

[B.S.F.]

Take the little cover off at the front of the starter and turn the square end of the shaft with a spanner to disengage. The 54 starter engages from the front , the 56 from the back. (Different ring gear).
W.

[mfc]

Provided they are the same model, yes.

But actual damage to the bendix on these starters is very rare. Jammed bendixes are not uncommon - early starters had a protruding square on the other end of the shaft to disengage them.

Bbut the almost invariable reason for jamming is oil on the spiral thread. This must be clean and dry, but rust free. Graphite powder is your friend. A less likely issue is the spring broken or jammed (or both).

Best pull the replacement and clean it up them ..I greased up the two spiral interconnected gear peices....the original I freed up but it’s making an unhealthy noise, I’ll look at it out of the car, it felt the smoother of the two [motor wise]
Cheers mark

[mfc]

From memory you turn that square end on the shaft clockwise (ie reverse of usual direction of rotation) to free up the Bendix sleeve. In my experience poor battery voltage was a contributor.
Cheers Rob S

This could be so, I’m having starting issues and had been heavy on the starter prior to it locking up
[
Took more than the square end of the shaft and a spanned to free it up]

[JDNSW]

Best pull the replacement and clean it up them ..I greased up the two spiral interconnected gear peices....the original I freed up but it’s making an unhealthy noise, I’ll look at it out of the car, it felt the smoother of the two [motor wise]
Cheers mark

Yes, this is the natural reaction when they are not moving freely - but the oil or grease, when mixed with dust from the clutch, turns into glue!

[mfc]

Well it’s not moving atm so there will be no glue forming lol......I think I’ve sorted the starting issues, lots of tiny issues making a big mess.
I do however think I’ve totally buggered something in the original starter, it was sounding ill once I’d freed it up, I'll bench test it today to see if it’s the motor or the gear/spring section making sick sounds
I’m just having a break b4 heading out to turn the key....I find that lucus work is best preformed with a torch in the dark, least you can see the sparks or arks
Regards mark

[1950landy]

If you want to lube the bendex make sure it is free of oil & grease & dry then put some graphite powder on it . As John said oil & grease mixed with clutch dust & dirt only makes them more sticky.


The last time I had this issue with my 80" starter the pin that holds the retaining collar / stop that holds the Bendix on had come out this caused the Bendix yo locking up the armature against the end housing
If this is the type of starter you have DSCN4225_LI.jpg The retaining collar has a securing pin this pin can come out or brake , when the starter operates the Bendix will wind out jamming against the end housing forcing the armature back & locking every thing up. I fitted a roll pin in mine as a replacement.