I have a 1956 312 that has been rebuilt along with the automatic Transmission both original to the car. I've Place them back in the car but when I mount the starter it seems to bind up with the flywheel. The starter seems to stay engaged because when I turn the motor I can hear the starter turning. I've tried two starters that both have been rebuilt and one was the original starter. I'm reluctant to go any further because if the engine started it might tear up the flywheel or worse. Any idea what's going on ?

Thank you

Skyliner

It sounds like the bendix is engaged.  When the engine fires it will spin the bendix faster than the starter motor does and disengage the drive.  It can be disengaged by hand but it it hard to do.  Should not be a problem.  Ben Hess

Ben HessTulsa,OK

Thank you Ben. That's what I suspected based on reading the service manual saying the lock pin which holds the pinion from rotating and it wouldn't disengage until it hit 310-390 rpm. I wanted to get confirmation on it. It sure makes the engine difficult to turn by hand when the starter is installed. Is this normal? Thank you again Ben.

Skyliner

Can the ring gear be installed backwards?



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Thank you for the suggestion. I'm not sure how you can tell if it was installed backwards but I'll check it tomorrow

Skyliner

taper on the ring gear to the rear of the flywheel.oposit to modern starters

Are you sure the rebuilt starters are for a y-block?  Later F.E. (332,352 etc) starters are of two types that will bolt in, however units after 1964 (iir correctly ?) engage from the front, not the rear as is correct in a Y-Block.. just checking?   


Paul

I cannot see any taper on the ring gear. I've posted two pictures of the ring gear please let me know your thoughts if you can see a taper.

Skyliner

I believe they are correct. One was the original starter that I had rebuilt. Good suggestion Paul I appreciate your input

Skyliner

Skyliner, I see you are using the starter to bell housing seal and would like to mention that I couldn't quite get the starter to seat properly in the machined grove. It was due to the nature of the aftermarket seal I had at that time so I no longer attempt to install it. The starter falls in place very well with out it, works fine. Hope this helps. Just my $.02, JEFF.............


64F100 57FAIRLANE500