Re: 30 Model A starter - Help, lost bolt inside housing

Posted by Paul Koncak on August 19, 1997 at 16:57:05

In Reply to: 30 Model A starter - Help, lost bolt inside housing
posted by David F. Suggs on August 19, 1997 at 15:01:56

: The starter on my 1930 Model A was not engaging, only spinning. I removed the starter and heard a clunk, one of the bolts that holds the end of the spring on the shaft had worked loose and apparently fell inside the flywheel housing(?). I have tried to fish it out with a magnet on a stiff wire, reaching through the opening for the starter. No luck yet. Any suggestions?
: Thank you,
: David F. Suggs
David,
Having this happen myself on more than one occasion and reading messages from others sharing this same experience, it can be determined that it is a common problem.Evidently Ford realized the bolts would break because he changed the collet and bolt from a 5/16" to a 3/8".I tried your method with the magnet on one occasion and was successful.But was unsuccessful on others.The following method is a bit work related and dirty but will work very well. I'm sure you will find this process written elsewhere.
The process calls for removing the radius rod socket set at the bottom of the bell housing.This will allow access to the area under the flywheel.You may find a piece of felt above the opening when you remove the socket set.You will have to remove it.By removing the cotter key and pin, the socket set bolts can also be removed. A little difficult to get back in however.So, I would not remove them unless necessary.Probe around in there.You may find other interesting items.
One word of wisdom...I had that same bolt head break off on a newly restored 30 Coupe.I left it in there.And during a fast/hard stop on the initial road test, the bolt became entangled between the flywheel and bell housing.Before I could shut the engine off, it broke the bell housing.Resulting in a teardown of a newly restored car to replace the broken housing.Happy hunting!
Have fun!
Paul

Follow Ups:
Re: Starter bolt recovered David F. Suggs September 15, 1997 at 10:22:30(0)
Re: 30 Model A starter - Help, lost bolt inside housing Mike Flanagan August 23, 1997 at 21:49:29(0)

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