MTFCA Forum

Are the springs the same for the Model T and thre Model A?

No, Model T and Model A Bendix Drive springs are different sizes.

Here are complete details.
Model T Bendix drive springs are Bendix part number L10-6 and 1 15/16 OD
Model A Bendix drive springs are Bendix part number L11-6X and 2 1/8 OD
Both springs are 1 5/16 ID, 1 3/4 Length, 5/16 screw diameter and have seven coils.

Aren't they wound in the opposite direction?

Model A springs are wound opposite because the bendix is on the same side of the flywheel as the starter motor. Not interchangeable with model T.

Jeff
Both Model T and A Bendix drive springs are left hand wound hence the suffix "L" in the part number.
See page 5 of the attached Bendix drive data with hand written A and T spring part numbers.
Ron Patterson

Ron would know, I live and learn.

I have used Model A Bendix springs on my T's for years. They are a little bit larger in diameter but work fine. They are tougher and hold up much better from kick backs.

Ron,

Your comment about both springs being left hand wound makes me think that the T spring may have been released for service as A-11380-R later in 1928. My car was built approximately 450 units before A492511 on October 1. After that time, the multi-disk flywheel was revised by adding a step to clear the larger diameter Bendix spring that was also used when Ford went to a single disk clutch. For cars built prior to A492511, Ford released a service Bendix drive to replace the Abell drives that proved to be trouble prone.

I have tried using the Model A spring sold by the vendors and found that it hits the flywheel. The T spring does not. In my mind, it would seem logical for the service engineers to use off the shelf parts where available.

My plan is to check this theory at the Benson Ford in time.

TMiller6 wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 09, 2020 8:59 pm

Ron,

.....makes me think that the T spring may have been released for service as A-11380-R later in 1928. My car was built approximately 450 units before A492511 on October 1. After that time, the multi-disk flywheel was revised by adding a step to clear the larger diameter Bendix spring that was also used when Ford went to a single disk clutch. For cars built prior to A492511, Ford released a service Bendix drive to replace the Abell drives that proved to be trouble prone.

I have tried using the Model A spring sold by the vendors and found that it hits the flywheel. The T spring does not. In my mind, it would seem logical for the service engineers to use off the shelf parts where available.

My plan is to check this theory at the Benson Ford in time.

C172C321-6E0C-468E-8924-2781B903197D.jpeg

Are you thinking that the Model T Bendix spring was renumbered as A-11380-R, and released for service as part of the A-11350-DR Service Drive for the modified early starters with the 1/2 diameter armature shaft? Part A-11380-R is nothing more than a thin locking ring that keeps the set screw, A-11382-BR from backing out.

As for your issue with the Bendix spring hitting the flywheel; Are you using a Multi-Disc Clutch Flywheel? Is the starter armature 1/2" or 5/8" diameter? If you are using a Multi-Disc Clutch flywheel you need either an original Abell drive starter or an early early/Abell starter that has been modified for the A-11350-DR Service Drive. If using an original 1/2" diameter starter that has been modified for the A-11350-DR Service Drive, the "modern" Bendix springs sold by the vendors is too large in diameter, so is the Model T" spring. You will need to find a Service Drive spring, A-11375-DR. If using a 5/8" diameter armature shaft starter with a Multi-Disc flywheel, it will hit the flywheel.

Model T Bendix spring 1 15/16" diameter T-5022
Model A Bendix spring 2 1/16" diameter A-11375-C
Model A Service Drive Spring 1 13/16" diameter A-11375-DR

Pep,

I may need some time to sort this.

I believe my starter is 5/8” shaft. It has the square switch with the cable to the rear but it isn’t Abell. The flywheel is multi disk and not stepped. Gas tank date is 10/5, a Twin Cities build.