1928 526 battery/starter issue

Posted by rrhorton On 2019/6/18 19:45:35

Purchased a 6 volt 50 amp hour Optima battery for my 6 cyl. When the engine was rebuilt, it was started with the same starter but 7 years ago. Not sure what battery he used. Have not started the motor since then but rotate the crankshaft by hand every month. Now the starter spins but the bendix gear will not spin out to engage the flywheel. I cleaned and re-lubricated the spiral gear and shaft but still will not spin out.

Is the issue the 50 AH battery or the starter? Handbook calls out for a 6v 100AH battery. If starter, what can I do to get the bendix to engage.