Farmall Cub

I Cleaned up the starter to paint. On the end of it I discovered what now looks like a gold coin.





I guess it is like some of the other guys said, once you get started painting....
Not sure how much I like it but it was fun.
Dave
Ps I was inspired by catandmouse color scheme

Dave, the plug that goes there probably cost a lot more than the dime the PO ended up using.

The end cap can fall and go missing fairly easy. The quick dime replacement qualifies for the tip of week.

Thanks for the input guys.
Barnyard is right it probably is cheaper; but now it is plated with fools gold
-and Challenger, I cannot take credit for this good idea.

It all started when it (the starter) wouldn't start. I noticed a little oil, thought it was odd but cleaned it up and took it into the shop.

The first time I took it in they said it needed rebuilt. the second time they said OHhh, this should be converted to 12V ; I told them it worked fine as 6 volts -they looked at me funny and disagreed.

They converted it to 12 volts. A month later, starter stopped again. I checked by removing wires and jumped it from battery- nothing. I removed it from the tractor, set it on it's side on a little table - decided to bench test it, it worked fine; put it back on; scratched my head and cut the grass.

A couple weeks later, NO GO again, this time it would not work on the bench either; I thought it was a bad switch that they replaced; he bench tested it and it worked fine; I said that is exactly what I expected; he looked at me kinda funny. His assistant opened it up, took off the duct tape he sealed under the band and said "I didn't put this oil in here".

The guy probably noticed the oil in the starter before and thought he would have done me a favor by putting duct tape under the metal band -keep the oil OUT -right? NOPE, it helped keep the oil in.

Long story/ short -rear main seal leak (I THINK) is slowly allowing oil to coat the bell housing (via fly wheel oil bath) and drip a little bit into the starter's open side. Over time, after weeks, -"SHE's A NO WORK-A!" (Italian accent)

Aside from a tractor split (no stands here yet), I wonder if it might work by drilling a small weep hole below that starter opening to let it drain back to the bell housing? - where it belongs

Finally, I should have taken it apart myself in the first place, I would have better understood the problem from the start and saved myself much grief and headaches. In the least, I have learned from this experience and I hope others might benefit from this info too.
Dave

Groove Critter wrote:...
Aside from a tractor split (no stands here yet), ...

You were within two feet of a pair yesterday afternoon. Certainly can use them for your split when needed. Oh, I have reworked rear seal retainers in stock.

Bill

I had a situation with my starter motor. The insulation material that usually goes under the band that closes the openings over the brushes was long missing. The bolt that holds the brush cover band in-place loosened and the band walked-around to where it rubbed against the tractor/hydraulic casting. Well, it rubbed the paint away which grounded the starter via the internal brush wiring. I had no starter motor spin at all. This short to ground was really hard to find too...it took me a whole Saturday afternoon and lots of "try this and test that"...I practically had my whole ignition system dissected.

Bill, I would really appreciate the use of your splitting stands so I can cut to the chase on this issue . I did happen to purchase an improved RMS from TST a couple months back; thank you!

Ironlegs John, thanks for sharing. I never saw the insulation material that you spoke of.

It would be nice to hear a few other starter stories to help out those with future unforseen starter challenges.
Dave

Dave:

Your experience is exactly the reason why I take my generators and starters to my local AC Delco Authorized Service Centre. Tom knows what he is doing. I had decided to cheap out once and took it to the local auto alternator rebuild shop .. guy said he could fix anything. Not

I don't know if the person who overhauled that starter was an aircraft mechanic but a long ago practice was to "install" an penny,dime or quarter somewhere on an engine or airframe whenever the unit was completely overhauled. That way a person would have some idea when the last over was completed (the date on the penny,dime or quarter would tell the year of overhaul)

Or maybe someone needed a plug! Who knows but that's the old aviation lore.

NJ Farmer

Thanks Rudi, now I am just hoping not to need starter help for a good long while.

NJ Farmer, glad to see there are still farmers in New Jersey; after all, it is "The Garden State" right.
I never heard that about aircraft mech's; it makes a lot of sense and it makes me wonder about the history.
Thanks,
Dave