Hot Rods Flathead starter seized up

I drove my little hot rod over to a friends house Saturday. Everything seemed normal, no funny sounds, good oil pressure and cool temp on gauge. Was idling normal, no funny sound when I turned the key to kill the engine. Went to start it about 45 minutes later and nothing but a click from the solenoid. Tried to push start it and it would just skid the tires. Tried rocking it back and forth in gear, the engine would not budge!!!

Fast forward to last night. Went to pull the starter out, took the bolts out and loosened the cable. The housing slid off, but the armature is like it is welded in, will not move. I can’t turn it or move it.

Anyone else experience this?

 

Does it have a regular Bendix or one of those new-fangled kind?

 

So you took out the bolts that hold the coil assembly on the motor? Did you take out the bolts that hold the motor to the bell housing?

 

sounds like the Bendix is locked. Take it off the motor and you should find the problem.

 

I had the same thing happen, I got pissed and replaced it with a Power Master gear reduction starter. May not look traditional but it works.

 

Happens often. Put it in third and rock it back and forth you should be able to get it out.

@Austin kays howd you get yours off/out before it got rebuilt?

 

It is an original Ford starter.

 

One in the same on a Flathead. The 2 long bolts hold the starter together and hold the starter to the engine.

 

Yeah, I'd try rocking it. Since you have the mounting bolts out it should pop loose.

 

I rocked the truck and it loosened it enough to get it out. Nothing really appears wrong with it. I guess the Bendix just threaded itself so tight against the flywheel that it locked everything up. I was so worried something catastrophic has happened to the engine. Relieved it’s just a starter. Any recommendations on what to replace it with? I am running 12 volts.

 

Same thing, with a little never seize on the spiral threads.

 

What alchemy said. Nothing wrong with that starter that anti seize or graphite wouldn't cure.

 

except the damage to the armature from a 4lbs hammer. Doh!

 

Find another stocker starter and put on some new brushes, then clean it and bolt it up. I did that to mine 15 years ago and have been using the 6 volt starter on 12 volts just fine.

 

Let it have the day...

 

Happened exactly the same to me. At the Shades of the Past run.
Starter WOULD NOT come free until the case came off.
Only cost me a three hour round trip home to get my spare. What a PITA!