Bendix out again!

I am sick and tired of replacing Bendix gears in my starter. I usually pay the starter shop to do it, this time I think I am going to do it my self.

1) Any body got any pointers before I start?

2) I was also wondering, do they make a Mean Green starter for the f-head?

3) Would my timing cause the kick back I am getting when I start it up? (Which I would guess is causing my breakage problems.)

 

Right now I am using my ear, I will be putting a timing light on it later. I was trying to get the carb tuned up when I ran out of gas, put more gas in and cranked it over, it caught and started to run but started to die so I hit the ignition again and thats when the bendix went out.

I wish I would have used a timing light first instead of messing with the mixture.

 

Are you sure those Bendix's were really "bad"?
I've had Bendix issues in the past on my F-Head.
First was the original that finally quit due to wear on the teeth.
Second, I replaced it with a brand new Standard brand part.
It acted up twice BUT.....
The Bendix was fine.
The problems revolved around getting a properly sized roll pin to retain it to the starter motor's shaft.
The last time, I bought a LONG tight-fitting roll pin, installed it and ground off the excess.
I haven't had a problem since.

Make sure that Bendix is kaput before you get another.
They're pretty stout units.

Best of luck!

 

That is what the guy at the shop said when I took it in the first time this happened. He said he didn't have the right size pin to replace it, so he put in a different one. So it happened again and he replaced the pin again, and then again. Then I moved and it broke again so I took it to a different shop closer to my home, they repaired it and now it did it again.

Are they really that hard to fix? Is it worth my time to fix it myself, they only charge me $35 to fix it. I have assembled small motors before I am pretty sure I can handle this.

Where can I purchase the pins, and do you know what size pin you used? I am pretty sure the Bendix, like you said is still OK. They probably just replace the pin and charge me for labor.

 

I'll be darned.

I just took the bad pin to my local hardware store and went through their HUGE nuts/bolts/washers/etc. aisle and matched it up-same dia. but longer.
It's an easy to remove the starter (beware, that thing is heavy and awkard) and to replace the pin but if you're strapped for time or work space, $35 isn't bad....providing they're willing to do what I did and it works for you.

Best of luck, you're on the road to getting it fixed!

 

That's right....
Blevisay forgot a very important point!
But I assume there'd be considerable/notable damage to either the ring gear or the bendix if the tooth count wasn't a match.

 

Took it in yesterday morning and they fixed it for free

They put a stronger, tighter pin. Had to wait for it for an hour but it was worth it, seems to be stronger and holding up so far.

Put it on and it started right up, checked and set the timing and it was off a little but is missing bad like its running on three cylinders. Checked the points and made an adjustment but I think I fowled the plugs with gas, so I am getting ready to pull and clean them today.

Wish me luck.

 

Definitely REPLACE the plugs! Don't clean, REPLACE.
They're too cheap not to.
That made a world of difference in mine back when I got it.

BUT make sure that old Carter is healthy.....if you have fuel-fouled plugs, it makes me wonder.
If it's worn (throttle shafts), trash it and get a Solex.
I did, I love it and I'll NEVER go back.

Keep in touch,
Glad to help if I can.

 

Just got her running again gotta go to school but it shut down on me while I was checking the timing, everything looks ok but the coil is hot...I wonder if that is why it shut down?

 

Throttle shafts have been worn for a long time, carb leaks like a sive. I was just trying to buy some time...Now I have a new SOLEX on its way! YEAH!

 

FAAAANTASTIC!

Glad to hear it.
I drove my old Solex-equipped F-head to work last night.
Purred like a kitten.

Keep me informed of how it goes.

 

Are you running a Pertronix in your Distributor also? That will be my next investment. I hate messing with points.

 

Not yet.
Truthfully, I have yet to have an ignition-related problem my F-Head.

I have a Pertronix in my '66 VW Beetle.
I installed it almost 8 years ago and it's been problem-free ever since.
HIGHLY recommended.

I just haven't spent the money for one on the F-head yet.

 

How often do you have to adjust the points...seems like once a month for me.

 

In all seriousness, I've only adjusted mine once-last December when I installed them.

 

Once every 2 or 3 years. I have a Mallory dual point in my v6, my old prestolite was once every other month or so.

 

Just go with the Pertronix.
You won't regret it.

 

Yes, they make a gear reduction starters for the F-head. Have one on mine and love it. The Prestolite starter was one of the first things that went into the trash can on my jeep. I Googled something like "jeep gear reduction starter" and found a company out in Oregon that sells them - pretty cheap as I remember.