Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

spitfirebob · Joined: 08 Oct 2012 Posts: 51

hi all
i have a re-occurring fault on my starter motor
it has had 2 new pinion return springs snap when cranking engine
there is a loud noise/bang when starter engaging which signals a snapped spring
engine has been newly rebuilt so is probably a little tight
would this cause the fault or does problem lie elsewhere?
Bob

47Jag · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:10 pm Post subject:

Bob,
Are both of the springs from the same source and do the springs break at the same place? It could be a manufacturing fault. Is this the heavy spring?

Art

spitfirebob · Joined: 08 Oct 2012 Posts: 51

47Jag · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:47 pm Post subject:

Bob,

This is a standard inertia starter that we are talking about? The light spring, as I see it, is more of a deterrent for the pinion to creep along the screw after the engine has started. The actual pinion return is done when the engine fires and the ring-gear accelerates throwing the pinion back down the screw. This is one of the failings of the inertia style starter. It only takes one cylinder to fire to accomplish the 'throw back'.

Is the spring getting mangled or just snapping? Any pictures?

Art

47Jag · Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:48 pm Post subject:

Bob,

This is a standard inertia starter that we are talking about? The light spring, as I see it, is more of a deterrent for the pinion to creep along the screw after the engine has started. The actual pinion return is done when the engine fires and the ring-gear accelerates throwing the pinion back down the screw. This is one of the failings of the inertia style starter. It only takes one cylinder to fire to accomplish the 'throw back'.

Is the spring getting mangled or just snapping? Ant pictures?

Art

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1950 Location: East Yorkshire

I suggest telephoning SmallFordSpares, or go on their website and email a query.

Paul Beck, and his colleagues, are very helpful when it comes to spares not behaving as one would wish.

It is entirely possible there is a quality problem?

I have had problems with one of their rear axle bearing kits, and eventually, between us, things seem 'sorted'. {not useful when the inner bearing sleeve detaches itself from the axle-end sleeve?]

I have to add, I do not know what we old-Ford enthusiasts will do if ever SFS decides to close down..?

Paul fairall · Joined: 17 Nov 2016 Posts: 429 Location: North west Kent

spitfirebob · Joined: 08 Oct 2012 Posts: 51

47Jag · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 9:19 pm Post subject:

Bob,

I pulled this off the net:-
https://www.smallfordspares.co.uk/m/plates/plate117.gif
I looks like what I would expect to see. Comparing this to your photo the seems to be an anomaly at the end of the armature (No. 11) plus washer (No. 11365). Where on yours it looks to be a solid spacer and a washer and nut. The way it should work is the spring slides over the stepped sleeve and is pushing on the washer 11365. When it engages, the pinion pushes on said washer compressing the spring. So my question is where did you fit the spring on yours? If you fitted it between the pinion gear and the thick spacer the pinion would wind up and tear the spring because there isn't a washer to separate the pinion/spring.

Art

spitfirebob · Joined: 08 Oct 2012 Posts: 51

Hi Art
here is a different view showing washer
i fit spring between washer and thick spacer
[img]

[/img]

spitfirebob · Joined: 08 Oct 2012 Posts: 51

showing how bits are arranged
thick washer next to castle nut is the wrong way round though!!
[img]

[/img]

47Jag · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 8:51 pm Post subject:

Bob,

Is the washer next to the nut part of the sleeve to its right? The thick part looks to be part of the Bendix as per the drawing. So is there a washer 11365 inside the thick part of the Bendix? If not that's the problem, if there is it's back to the drawing board Rolling Eyes

Art

47Jag · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 8:54 pm Post subject:

Bob,

The part next to the nut is wrong way round and I don't see the 11365 washer.

Art

47Jag · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2017 8:57 pm Post subject:

Bob,

Is the washer next to the nut part of the sleeve to its right? The thick part looks to be part of the Bendix as per the drawing. So is there a washer 11365 inside the thick part of the Bendix? If not that's the problem, if there is it's back to the drawing board Rolling Eyes

Art

spitfirebob · Joined: 08 Oct 2012 Posts: 51

[quote="47Jag"]Bob,

Is the washer next to the nut part of the sleeve to its right? The thick part looks to be part of the Bendix as per the drawing. So is there a washer 11365 inside the thick part of the Bendix? If not that's the problem, if there is it's back to the drawing board Rolling Eyes

Art[/quote

hi Art
the washer is to the right of the spring