Thread: Unusual flathead starter issues

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Hey hows it going? My roommate is having a problem with he starter and I was wondering if you guys could help.

He has a '53 plymouth with a inline flathead and 3 on the tree. The problem is something is breaking the starters nose cone off. It has been converted to 12volt, using either 6volt or 12volt starters the same thing happens. The problem occurs pretty often, he has tried new starters, used starters, welding the nose cone back on, and even jb weld. The first time he had to replace it, the starter lasted for about a year but since then it happens alot more often. using used starters out of other flathead they seem to last 3-4weeks, jb welding which has been the most recent fix lasted 3 weeks the first time, and then declined from there.

We jb welded it on sunday and it broke again yesterday morning. When it breaks it still works but you can hear the nose cone rattling around inside the bellhousing. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

Just a guess but it would seem that it would have to be a mis-allignment problem. Did it have any shims when he took off the original? Check the wear pattern on the starter gear and ring gear. Might get a clue from that.

Possible, but it didnt have any shims on it. The ring gear has a tooth and a half missing, and about 7-8 teeth with the corner broken off from the nose cone bouncing around on um. The teeth on the starter look fine.

OK. My next guess is that the starter and ring gear are not a matched pair. Either the tooth count on the ring gear doesn't match with the starter or vice versa. I know on Ford flatheads there is a difference of as little as two teeth on ring gears (depending on which flywheel you are using) and this can cause a lot of binding. If all the parts you are using are the original ones that shouldn't be the cause.

Just curious as to why you ever changed the original 6v starter after switching to 12v. It ain't necessary! 6v starters will not blow up as you've probably been told since they crank for such a short time with 12v behind them.

i got some of those parts if your lookin