Great timing on posting this video. I disassembled the Prestolite starter from my 63 Studebaker GTHawk 289 V8 yesterday. The starter was rebuilt 30 years ago so it is in great condition. Like your starter, the only real problem is a sticky Bendix drive that doesn’t slide back and forth to engage and disengage the ring gear on the flywheel. Since this Bendix drive still appears basically new, I am going to clean and lubricate it rather than replace it. The gears on both the ring gear and Bendix drive look great. Hope your video inspires others to repair their starters like the video did for me.

@Robs_garage90

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great to hear! I wish I would have made more video of the actual disassembly but that’s something to improve on I guess. I’m sure your bendix will clean right up as well.

Hi Rob, great job on the starter! A lot of folks just replace parts, but like you did a good cleaning and lube will most of the time work wonders. What shop is doing your machine work on the engine? Are you planning to come to the Tri-State Meet in Maggie Valley on September 9th & 10th?

@Robs_garage90

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I think I was lucky that it was in good shape. I took the engine parts to a walker auto that has some guys with a lot of experience. One guy has been there 45 years and I had luck there in the past. I personally have not been lucky with race shops in the past. They don’t seem as friendly and don’t seem to want to help you unless you are spending thousands. I will be on vacation during the 9 and 10, but I do need to attend a meet some time because I have never been to one yet

Hey Rob, question about the bendix. When I took mine apart, the bendix was stuck in a collapsed position so it wasn't engaging. You couldn't see the pin hole because the gear part of the drive was covering it. I have freed the bendix up but it doesn't move very far in and out. When I watched your video where you showed the bendix moving at around 8:35, yours doesn't move much either. I haven't reassembled mine because I assumed the bendix needed to go back to the collapsed position when disengaged. Does the bendix only move that small amount and is that enough for it to engage / disengage the flywheel?

@Robs_garage90

Жыл бұрын

Yes the movement you see in the video is pretty much all the further it will move. It should try to retract when you let go of it because there is some light spring pressure. It won’t really snap back hard or anything like that but it should try to come back on its own.

@chrish5758-u1j

Жыл бұрын

@@Robs_garage90 Thanks for your quick reply. I found this video that shows how to get the drive to collapse. I am going to try it as I don’t think mine will work if it doesn’t collapse. kzread.info/dash/bejne/eYih2s59iK-emMY.html

@Robs_garage90

Жыл бұрын

@@chrish5758-u1j I hope it ends up working for you, but if not, luckily new ones can be found