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!

i mean, i don't think i'm particularly wimpy, this thing just doesn't move. my dad and i were thinking about grinding a flat in the pin but i'm skeptical that would work/is the way to do it. also thought about using a roll pin, but if i have to hammer one in, who is to say the shaft of the starter doesn't bend before the pin goes in? getting near a month since the truck ran; getting impatient with this thing.

Mac:

The drive won't retract because of an internal pawl that locks it into the extended position to drive the flywheel. When the engine starts it spins the starter drive fast enough that centrifugal force retracts the pawl and the drive retracts.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"