MTFCA Forum

I have removed my 1927 starter prior to having my engine rebuild. I could just buy a one, but I want my grandsons to have the experience of rebuilding it. We have the Model T Tips video showing how to do it. It appears that we need to use a "Growler". Are these available to buy or rent?

Do you have this video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCRdm6YiinM

Depending on how deep you plan on going into a rebuild, most home shops will not have the tools or setup to do a rebuild. The growler is the easy part, better auto parts stores might have one. If you are going to install the new bushing it will need to be reamed in alignment with the bearing at the other end (I use the ball bearing and spacer) and the end of snout were the Bendix rides. If the field coils are good they may just need a cleaning, if bad you'll need to remove and replace the pole screws which requires a pole screw removing tool, which is also used to install and seat the poles tight in the case so there is clearance for the armature. If you have not watched the above video, do so. I think the current snout end bushing has been changed, the flange end is cut off flush and bushing is shortened enough to install the seal. The cut off flange just acts as a thrust washer. The bushing/seal setup shown in the video, you would have to bore the inside piece larger then the shaft and install it and the seal after the installed bushing was reamed. Seal can't be installed when the bushing is reamed, it would tear it up. With no instructions in the kit, I installed both bushings reamed then removed the inside bushing, installed the seal, reinstalled the inner bushing piece, never was quite true.

Go to your local alternator-generator rebuild shop. They can check it on their growler pretty quick.
That’s what I did. I’ve rebuilt 3 and got lucky as the armatures were good.

John kuehn wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:25 am

Go to your local alternator-generator rebuild shop. They can check it on their growler pretty quick...

There's a third-generation auto electric shop nearby and whenever I need an armature growled, I drop in with a box of donuts and leave five minutes later, job complete.

Bruce,

If you want you can ship it to me to test or I believe I would have a spare one to lend or if you want it, to purchase. You have my email and phone # if you wish to call me. Mark Gregush make several good points, so if you need help we have all the tooling necessary, just rebuilt 3 of them this weekend.

Thanks,
Andy