Starter Bendix Gear

[Guest imported_Speedster]

I had purchased a spare Starter and solenoid for my '56 Clipper. It is in good condition except the Bendix Gear is damaged and needs replacing.

Since it is an Autolite starter, I would think that other car manufactures used the same Bendix assembly. And if Ford, Chevy or someother used the same unit then it may be easyer to find and at a lower price.

Does anyone know if any other makes used the same Bendix assembly as the '56 Clipper?

[joe kastellic]

Rick, I am thinking of going with the 56 Delco starter, instead of the autolite because it has more torque, and I just want the starter to spin the engine faster,also I hope that I would be able to add a extra feild coil which should accomplish this, as,I write this I am not sure if this is posible with ethier starter, but I have done this on my Stude starter and Iam very happy with the results, as far as the bendix gear drive you can check NAPA they have a catalog for vintage ignition parts and there is some starter parts, if they come up with the same part number as a cross reference and some times you will get a lower price, case in point years ago I replaced an idler arm on a 78 caddy sevile it was the the SAME one as used on the chevy nova, of course I got the part 50% cheaper!!! you could also try Hollander of that era(56) there might be and interchange , let us know how you make out. take care Joe

[WCraigH]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">(snip) you could also try Hollander of that era(56) there might be and interchange (snip) </div></div>

According to my Hollander, there is [color:"red"] NOT a complete assembly interchange to any non-Packard V-8 (Hudson, Nash, Stude are included). That is probably due to the way the starter bolts to the engine/bell housing.

However, the 1955-56 Delco (Senior) starter armature #1926626 and drive #1931585 interchanges with lots of Chevy passenger and lt truck applications in the 55-62 time frame, according to my Hollander.

Your "friendly" parts store <span style="font-style: italic">SHOULD</span> be able to help you out with the details. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_Speedster]

I had already checked at Napa and O'Really, with No results. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Now I see why he sold this starter so cheap. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I may have waisted my money on this lump. But if anyone finds a source for Autolite starter parts, I sure would appreciate the Info. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Is it true that '55/'56 Seniors mostly used the Delco and the Clippers used the Autolite starters? I have heard or read somewhere that is true for distributors.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

Thanks for the Info about Delco and Autolite.

I called some local repairs shops, about the Bendix, and found one that was pretty sure he has one that will work. (Midwest Rebuilders) I'll go over there next week and check it out.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

Joe,

I'm curious about Adding an Extra field-coil to a starter.

* How Do You Do THAT *?

I can understand changeing to a different type coil but how do you add one to an already Full starter? Do you mean that the Delco has more field-coils than the Autolite? The '56 Autolite that I opened up has 4 coils and brushes, does the Delco have more? I don't see how. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

I do not know for sure but i am guessing that all parts of the starter are I'changeable with other AL starters of that period and later EXCEPT for the front mounting flange housing. On my 56 Delco starter a local rebuilder had a big barrel full of benfixes and easily dug out 3 rite off of the top that would work.

The Bendix is also most likely rebuildable i unless the entire bendix is deformed in some way I bought rebuilt bendixes as late as 1982 for a 1980 Dodge 6. IN WHAT WAY is the bendix 'damaged'????.

With the exception of castings or other moulded or stamped process parts most individual parts of the packard are 'outsourced' parts and were probably used well into the late 70's at least. Its just a matter of figuring out which other popular makes used the same part.

Be sure to cheque out the "55-56 Xref" thread in this Packard forum and feel free to add to it as u discover retro fit parts.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

The Gear Teeth are damaged. Nothing is bent or broken other than that.

Yes, there must be one somewhere local that will work, it's just a matter of finding the right box full of old parts. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I got the Bendix out of the starter today, so I'll try to find a replacement and some new brushes, in the next few days.

[joe kastellic]

Rick, I emailed a freind, about adding an extra two coils for the delco stater, it is suposed to have only 2 coils, and he has 56 clipper that had the autolite starter, but he upgraded to the delco stater that is used in the SR.cars and does not have the slower cranking speed he experinced with the the autolite unit, this does make sense,because in the shop manual the delco unit does put out more torque, he has a 56 clipper super 352 240 hp, so Iam thinking of going this route, as I said I did have the upgrade done on the Stude starter which had only two coils to begin with, and then was replaced with four smaller coils to fit the starter, BTW Ihad this done by a freind who has a starter /alt/gen. repair bus. I did not know that the autolite unit had 4 coils to begin with, I have not had my stater off my car, but I want to upgrade my stater this winter because I don't know what shape my stater is in,and don't want any down time in the summer months. I only have had my car since june 2004, I always replace certain parts on all my old cars because then I know where I am when it comes increaseing my reliability factor,case in point I would like to change to disc. brakes because Iknow the car will stop better and I FEEL safer. take care Joe

[Guest imported_Speedster]

Well, Now I'm confused about the 2 starters that I have. Both have Autolite labeled Tags on them, But my service manual has good pictures of both Delco and Autolite starters and the pictures labeled Delco are exactly like the ones I have and the pictures labeled Autolite are completely different. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

And the other confusing thing is that both Delco and Autolite appear to have 4 field-coils and brushes. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Autolite must have made another version, copying the Delco. Either that or someone has put Autolite tags on these starters, and I don't see how that could be, since one was on the car when I bought it and the other I recently purchased locally. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

The number on one of the Autolite tags is MDF6008-6K (can't read the other number completely, too bent, but I think it's the same number) If anyone has any Data on starter numbers?

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

see p 16 of the specifications section of the service manual in the very back of the book. It confirms u'r AL # and gives the Delco #. Also see the spec section for 55.

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Cheque the bushings and brushes in the starter for wear. These are ez to replace. The bushings are available at auto parts stores part number SB 0 and SB 101. Go to 55-56 xref thread in this forum to verufy those #'s and note the correction a few posts from the original post on the numbers..

[Guest imported_Speedster]

Maybe Autolite made the Version shown in manual for '55 but then copyed the Delco design in '56?

I checked a '57 'Motor's Manual' and it shows the same as '55/'56 Service Manual. The Autolite Bendix is called a 'Barrel' type and the Delco is called 'Overrunning Clutch' type, but it didn't show an Autolite with the Overrunning Clutch (like I have) either. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

PackardV8,

Thanks for the Info on Numbers. I had already planed on getting new brushes but I think the bushing is in spec. The armature is in good condition, just needed cleaning.

Turbopackman,

I would Like to find a 6.v motor that will fit the V8. Do you know what years Hudson and Nash used a 6.v starter on the V8? Or, are you saying that starters used on other than V8 engines fit the '56 Packard V8.

I have used 12.v batteries, (connected directly to starter, not to electrical system), on several 6.V cars with no problems, before. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It may also be possible to get field coils, designed for a 6.v starter (higher current type) and put them in a 12.v starter, and accomplish the same thing. I'll ask the guys at Midwest about that when I go over there.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

I took the damaged Bendix-drive to Midwest. They didn't have a replacement in stock but could have it rebuilt for $22. , so I'm having that done.

I asked about using a 6.volt starter on the 12.volt system. He knew about that and said it worked great. He said that it will reduce the life of the brushes and maybe the armature (by about 30%) but the main thing is that it will get hotter if cranking for a long time, (which is to be expected) so just have be careful about overheating it.

I forgot to ask if he knew why the '56 Autolite Starters are made the same as Delcos. I'll try to ask about that when I go back over there to pick up Bendix.

He said that he knew some old guys (like us), that considers anything made after 1970 to be Junk, <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> that can answer any questions I have about those starters. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Most likely the Al starters were made TO PACKARD specifications.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

Yep, Packard probably found out in '55 that the Autolite starter design just didn't have the GRUNT. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_Speedster]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I did find out that '56 Delco and Autolite are made differently inside (armature and brushes are very different), even tho they look the same outside and use the same Solenoid.

Eric

Were you able to get a number for the 6.volt starters? That would be very helpful. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />