MTFCA Forum

. Buy one of these from Home Depo and and you’ll solve the problem. Go to the Home Depot site and click on the video. Vaco also makes them.

I have 3 different sizes of these and always bring them with me when I drive my Fords.

I used to have one (operative words here are "used to") and somehow lost it. Last time I put the bendix cover on I sure was wishing I had one of those. Definitely gonna replace it now.

Good tool tip Bob, get the one @ 3 O'clock in first the other three are easy. When they fall they always find a good hiding spot

We called those Monday Morning Screwdrivers.
If you don’t have one get one.

When servicing the Ford car, it is essential that Bendix cover screws not be dropped when re-attaching the cover. An interdimensional flux warp portal exists in the area around the flywheel magneto, even when the engine is not operating, and any loose small metal objects, such as nuts, washers, screws, small tools, etc. in the area are apt to be suddenly and unexpectedly flung into another dimension. While this does no harm to the objects themselves, it can be very difficult to recover them, and it may prove impossible to do so. While the flux portal is completely invisible, mechanics may expect to encounter its effects when working on any of the assemblies located on or near the flywheel magneto, including the entire transmission and related linkages.

BobShirleyAtlantaTx wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 10, 2021 6:08 am

E6D75BD6-F7D2-4433-BEF0-80864A916158.png. Buy one of these from Home Depo and and you’ll solve the problem. Go to the Home Depot site and click on the video. Vaco also makes them.

The long version will clear the pedals better for the 3 o'clock screw & works on the other 3 also.

There are several other solutions to this problem:
1. Start the 3 o'clock screw before placing the cover. The.
cover holes are slotted.
2. Use Allen head or torx head screws. 6 mm thread is
close to the original thread.
3. Buy a model t that has no starter.
4. I have a screw driver with claws to grab the head. I don't.
know if these are still available.

Art Mirtes

Art M wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 11, 2021 9:22 pm

There are several other solutions to this problem:
1. Start the 3 o'clock screw before placing the cover. The.
cover holes are slotted.
2. Use Allen head or torx head screws. 6 mm thread is
close to the original thread.
3. Buy a model t that has no starter.
4. I have a screw driver with claws to grab the head. I don't.
know if these are still available.

Art Mirtes

Channel lock made a set with clips. Bought em. the clip device still got in the way by the pedals & eventually all broke. I now use the long red handled vaco.

Why not just magnetize the screwdriver?

Dan didn’t you read Pat’s post? Using anything magnetic actually increases the vortex and acts as a beacon for the portal to locate and transport the object more quickly to an unknown dimension. Best John

This is why I always cover the area in tin foil held down by solid lead blocks. Otherwise, the flux escapes and makes finding the screws all but impossible.

The 6th picture on the top post is the perfect tool. Now, before some of you get started, I know that's a Philips tip but we used a similar locking screwdriver (straight tip) for ignition points. There was a short, about 6" long, and a longer one, about 11". I still have the longer one. Not a makers mark on it, and it is without doubt the best tool for replacing the screws. Not for tightening but for starting them. It's no thicker than a lead pencil. Knurled with no handle.

JTT3 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:04 am

Dan didn’t you read Pat’s post? Using anything magnetic actually increases the vortex and acts as a beacon for the portal to locate and transport the object more quickly to an unknown dimension. Best John

Where is the beginning of this discussion? It starts with and image of screw drivers at Home Depot. Have no idea where/which Pat's post is.

I changed mine to allanhead Use a long ball head Allenwrench. No problem.

Years ago I had a bendix cover come loose, lost a bunch of oil, like right away. After finding the oddball screw in the oily gravel, laying on my back, trying to get them back in place with bifocals, I took a Ted Aschman tip. I carry one of these in every toolbox, just in case. Kind of like a vampire kit. If you have one, you will never need it. So far so good, and I’ll race anybody on the planet, blindfolded and in the dark, for money! I’d go double or nothing with the screw/ washer on wire or bubblegum or wedge screwdriver competitor. DONT FORGET, IF YOU ARE PURIST ENOUGH TO INSIST ON SCREWS, THEY HAVE TO HAVE WASHERS ON THEM! Don’t need washers with the metric cap screws. I had a box of a hundred cap screws at one time but have given nearly all of them away over the years.