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Discussion Topic:
33 Model B starting issues
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40 Coupe |
05-28-2026 @ 5:16 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1823
Joined: Oct 2009
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If you can only rotate the engine over by hand for one turn and back nearly two turns it would appear the timing gear is broken. The crank makes two revolutions for one of the cam. To check if the engine is free to rotate always rotate the crank pulley more than two complete revolutions.
This message was edited by 40 Coupe on 5-28-26 @ 5:19 AM
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40 Coupe |
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05-28-2026 @ 5:07 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1823
Joined: Oct 2009
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You can turn the motor over with the starter without the plugs. Interesting! put the voltmeter on the battery terminals and check battery volts when trying to start if you get the same 4.5V it would appear the battery is bad. Charge the battery full and take it to be load checked at your local auto parts store. The starter Bendix will stay in the flywheel until the engine is started and engine RPM drives the bendix away from the flywheel. Suggest taking the starter to a rebuilder and having it tested if the battery is good.
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carcrazy |
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05-27-2026 @ 9:01 PM
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Senior
Posts: 2091
Joined: Oct 2009
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Third Gen may have the starter or the parts required to repair your starter in stock.
https://thirdgenauto.com/?s=starter&post_type=product&type_aws=true
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HeinkeK |
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05-27-2026 @ 9:00 AM
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Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Apr 2026
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So sorry for the long pause. (Working on other projects) I removed the starter and the motor turns over easily. No stops. I'm convinced it was the starter Bendix gear staying engaged with the ring gear.
Now - Anyone have a good starter for sale?
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carcrazy |
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05-05-2026 @ 8:56 PM
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Senior
Posts: 2091
Joined: Oct 2009
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Having the engine come to a hard stop when it is rotated in either direction does not sound good. It sounds like something could have fallen into one of the cylinders when the spark plugs were removed.
Can you rotate the engine more than 360 degrees of crankshaft rotation when you crank the engine by hand? If you can, things are probably ok.
If you can't, you will have to find out why not and remove the object from the cylinder that is preventing rotation.
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HeinkeK |
05-05-2026 @ 3:42 PM
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Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Apr 2026
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Further information: I pulled the starter, cleaned it up and lubed it, and made sure everything seemed to be functioning correctly. The only thing that seems week to me is the spring that I think is supposed to kick the Bendix gear back out of the ring gear. Now I pulled the spark plugs and I can easily rotate the motor one revolution either direction, but then it comes to a hard stop. Maybe the Bendix gear not disengaging with the ring gear?
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HeinkeK |
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05-01-2026 @ 10:23 AM
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Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Apr 2026
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Thank you. This is exactly what I have, just a 12V battery and 12V head and taillight bulbs. Everything else is still 6V.
Could this abuse of the starter wear out that return spring on the Bendix?
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carcrazy |
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04-28-2026 @ 5:11 PM
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Senior
Posts: 2091
Joined: Oct 2009
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Does your vehicle have a 6V electrical system with a 12V battery installed? If so, the 6V starter will spin too fast causing the Bendix to slam into the flywheel ring gear. This will eventually damage the Bendix starter drive. The starter can be rebuilt as a 12V starter by a competent starter/generator shop by changing the field coils.
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HeinkeK |
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04-28-2026 @ 4:19 PM
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Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Apr 2026
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Thank you! I have already done all that you suggest and have a new 12 V battery. The symptoms are intermittent which makes all the troubleshooting even more difficult.
I worked on it again today and finally had the starter switch get stuck and over heated the starter motor, so I removed it to check it out to make sure it still spins. Thank goodness it does. I think I may have found the problem though. When the starter spins it is sending the Bendix into the proper position, but there is a small spring is supposed to send it back out of the engagement position. That spring seems to be worn out and the Bendix gear is stuck engaged with the ring gear. I know that doesn't explain the spark plug in or out issues but again it all is intermittent issues
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carcrazy |
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04-27-2026 @ 9:05 PM
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Senior
Posts: 2091
Joined: Oct 2009
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If the engine won't crank with the spark plugs installed but will once they are removed, suspect either a problem with the electrical system or a hydraulic lock. Most likely the electrical connections are corroded or rusted preventing sufficient current flow to turn the engine over once it has compression.
To remedy the situation, remove all of the connections between the battery, starter switch, and starter motor. Clean all the terminals, including the ground paths. Reinstall the spark plugs and see if the engine will crank properly.
If the engine still won't crank, suspect that your battery needs to be replaced. You can take your battery to a local auto parts store to be checked to determine if it needs to be replaced with a new one.
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