Farm Equipment - Model C Starter

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Model C Starter

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35693
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 10:34am
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Topic: Model C Starter

Posted By: BrianC
Subject: Model C Starter
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2011 at 7:49am

I have problem with my 1948 model C starter.

It is a 6v (I assume) starter running at 12 volts.

When I push the starter rod, the starter motor turns, makes

a very brief gear grind type noise , then just whurrs away at

high speed. It doesn't catch the ring gear and turn the engine.

I removed the starter to look at the Bendix. I don't know

much about starter drives, but this thing turns free, no rust.

By hand travels in and out on the helix, and only turns one way.

The ring gear looks ok to me, not all torn up, the lead in bevels

are facing starter, so ring gear is installed correctly.

The starter is held in by a singe bolt/jamnut with tapered end.

I removed this bolt, pushed the starter about 3/8" towards ring gear, pinched it in with a normal flat end 5/8 bolt.

Now it works, it engages the ring gear and starts the engine.

I don't know if the starter is original or not. The tag is a mess

but I think it reads 11?7?43 85. Could the 85 be the year code?

I wonder if it is a starter for a different A/C, or can the Bendix be

installed too far aft (or wrong Bendix, or missing a spacer,etc...?

Thanks for your help.

Replies:

Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2011 at 8:12am

Pull the starter back out and clean off the grounding bands that are on the nose cone. You're probably loosing the ground the starter needs. Also, clean the cavity the starter motor fits into. Rust build-up over the years will kill the ground. Probably when you shoved the starter motor in farther, it made a better ground and operated. The pinch bolt mounting isn't the best idea either, but that's what they designed for the application years ago...

mailto:Steve@B&B - Steve@B&B

Posted By: Nathan (SD)
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2011 at 9:02am

I had to shim out a bendix on a C also. When you twist on the bendix by hand, it should touch the nose cone.

Posted By: Dick L
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2011 at 9:03am

It could very well be the wrong head/nose. I have one starter that has two dimples for the lock/grounding screw to enter on a B. My guess was that it came from a different model and was made to work. If it fits the hole and I was you I would just mark it where it works and make a new dimple. Before marking it make sure the opening to the starter drive is centered on the flywheel. The starter that I have with the two dimples have the dimples staggered a small amount.

Posted By: Creek Jenkins
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2011 at 1:22pm

I have the same experience as Dick L. My '41 C has a starter with two different dimples. When I use the further out one, every 5 or 6 attempts will miss engaging and just clack and whirr. Pushing the starter in to the second dimple (it is also about 5 degrees of rotation different) makes it work everytime. The 12v battery spins that baby over with authority. The starter was just overhauled, new bushing in the nose cone thingy.

cheers,

Creek