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 have found that there are essentially two set of tracks within the heart of the Bendix. If it is assembled with the pawl in one orientation, the Bendix will latch into the extended position. By fully disassembling it and re-orienting the sliding part on the helically-grooved shaft, the Bendix can be rendered non-latching. Which orientation is correct, I do not know. Perhaps both, dependent upon application. The starter that was working on my 239 was free. So, when I rebuilt a spare for the 292, I disassembled it and rotated the sleeve one set of grooves to free it up too.
It is definitely a trick to get that bugger back together. I seem to remember a snap ring giving me nine kinds of grief.

Ford tractors from the 50's and early 60's use the same style starter as the Y-block. I know for a fact that if the bendix becomes extended I can hold it up against a spinning wire wheel on a bench grinder and when the bendix reaches the appropriate speed it will jump back to the retracted position.

I believe that on a truck the starter can easily be installed even if the drive is extended. The exception may be if the truck has rams horn manifolds.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

"if the bendix becomes extended I can hold it up against a spinning wire wheel on a bench grinder and when the bendix reaches the appropriate speed it will jump back to the retracted position" previous quote.ABSOLUTELY..then it is a lot easier to install....John in CT