hello, just joined here. bought a 1964 f100 a month or so ago with (what else) a 292 and a 3 speed. it was running (poorly) so i've been doing all the tune up stuff and it got it running...then my starter ceased to crank the engine. took it out and the bendix/ starter drive had exploded. got a new drive an starter from napa (they look identical to what was removed.) now i need to install the drive on the starter and the starter in the truck.

here are my questions:

1. can you install the starter with the drive in the extended or 'start' position or must it be retracted? reason being the two i've gotten from napa were both extended and i cannot get them to retract by hand, with a c clamp, or vise.

2. how the heck do i get this drift pin in? the hole is partially covered and it apears you need to cmpress the drive to get it in but i haven't had any luck with that. i've been searching all over the net and haven't found the answer. i can provide pictures if anyone needs to see exactly what i mean

thanks!

Mac,welcome. I have a 292 and two starters. One is in the extended position and the other not. My motor is out of the car and I managed to install either one without problem (other than aligning the mounting bolts - I temporarily installed a stud in the upper bolt hole to help align the starter ). When I installed the extended one I had the grease cap on the bell housing off so I could see. My understanding is that installation with the motor in the vehicle can be a pain a times. Regarding the drift pin I suspect that you must compress the spring to install. How you accomplish that? Hopefully someone who has the knowledge will reply as I have never done that.

Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia

Mac:

Push against the spring with the drive butted against something. When the spring is compressed far enough to insert the pin, install it just far enough to hold the spring back but not so far that you can't slide the drive over the shaft. Slide the drive onto the shaft and align the pin with the hole in the shaft and tap the pin into the hole with a small hammer until the spring snaps back over the end of the pin. I have bought drives with the pin already started, and since the NAPA drives were already extended, someone has fooled with them, maybe they also pulled the pin out.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"