Hey I am stuck at work and my Flathead 1951 Ford Starter is stuck ! It doesn't spin or click - just nothing happens when I turn the key .... I have no tools with me .... what about if I find a hammer ? Could hit the starter in the back ? I see two bolts on a shaft sticking out Would that disengage it ? Also this is A Flathead -51 with a Ford automatic transmission attached - so putting it in the high gear and rock it would not help I guess.....
You could tap the end of the starter housing to see if that will disengage it. I say tap not pound. Two or three light raps using the handle is effective too. You’ll hear it disengage if that’s the problem
How about a picture of the "two bolt on a shaft sticking out". I have no idea what you are talking about but must admit I am into the older vehicles. Charlie Stephens
Put your car in high gear and rock it backwards. I had to do that all the time with my Moms 53 Station wagon when I was a kid. Bones
Whoops, no that won’t work with an automatic. Try to turn the engine backwards using the fan. Edit: I missed that part, on the original post. Bones
Had this happen, and it was a bitch. No amount of beating, rocking, towing, would free it up. You mentioned seeing two bolts and a shaft. Are these the two bolts attaching the Bendix drive spring to the starter output shaft. Is the cup on the bellhousing missing or open on the end? Or are you seeing the two bolts running through the starter case attaching it to the bell housing starter plate? I tried loosening them, rocking the starter, but no luck. Pulled them all the way out, but the case and coils came off, leaving the armature and drive still stuck. Had to pry with a big screwdriver to get it freed from the flywheel. Then had to make a three hour round trip home to get a spare. If the cup is missing or open ended, I would try tapping on the drive gear with a punch and see if it will free up. Good luck!!
Hi All - thanks for all the feedback ...... Yes this is an automatic so pushing back and forth wouldn't help (even if I tried it), also it got an electric fan so there is no fan blade to try to run the engine backwards. This is what I did: I managed to borrow a 11mm wrench and I was able to loosen the two long bolts that holds the starter in place and I put my hand in under and wiggled the starter back and worth for a while still having the bolts attached and that freed up what ever was stuck in there... Then it started right up... I guess the bendix is worn out and I need to find a new one... (just a guess) Lesson learned .... Always bring some tools with you !
Install the new style Bendix. Haven’t had problems since the change over. Nice looking car. https://images.app.goo.gl/NV3WwZMzRHEcnTb27
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