What's the trick to getting the starter out of a '52 8N?

I removed the solenoid, and removed the two bolts holding the starter on. Now the rotor + Bendix assembly looks like its captured by the flywheel. I know this had to to be assembled, but there looks to be a washer on the rear end of the Bendix that won"t clear the flywheel...or at least I"m not getting the angle right.

Is the Bendix gear + over-run assembly supposed to all be on the starter rotor shaft, or is this supposed to separate? Or do I not have quite the right angle to slip everything out yet?

And, yes, a good deal of holding your tounge just right helps ease the starter + Bendix back over the flywheel. I used a few strips of strapping tape to hold the motor together, then once the starter was in position I slipped out the tape and inserted the long bolts.

Thanks, guys!!

If you do have a later model Bendix do not spin the starter while it is out of the tractor trying to "test" it. Doing this will make it impossible for the Bendix to be inserted into the clutch housing.

Zane

To install the starter, keep it close to the block while pulling the front of it up and pushing the bendix back into the hole. The bendix has to go behind the flywheel; your job is to get it over the flywheel. Grinding out an egg shape at the 2 o'clock position before you put it back will make your life easier.

Lastly, while the starter is off, polish the block & starter mating surfaces w/ sandpaper to insure a good electrical ground between the two, and clean the mating surfaces where the starter's "belly" meets the aluminum endbell. The starter's ground circuit is through that "joint" as well was through the starter endbell-to-flywheel housing joint.

• 50 Tips

You are right, you haffta lift yer back driving Bendix UP'n'OVER the flywheel starter ring. This is accomplished by pointing the starter DOWN'n'IN towards the block drain. Some people gitt so frustrated they take out the block drain. It usually don't drain 'cuz its all crudded up. Some unbolt the oilfilter and letter dangle. Some actually GRIND about 1/4" relief arch at about 1-2o'clock AFTER they gitt that SOB outta the hole. It don't hurt 'nuttin' and is covered up with the starter after re-installation.

tip: NUT yer 8" bolts with 5/16 NC nuts so starter don't cumm'appart while yer jigglin' it over the ring.

TIP#2: seriously consider replacing the starter Bendix with the NEW clutch style bendix. $30 (cheap)..... ..the twisted tongued Dell (say that 3-times fast)