Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

OK, confused. Just rebuilt engine and dropped back into car. Hooked up all cables and with out plugs, spun the engine to be certain I have oil pressure before starting it up.

Starter is making an awful noise, similar to the solenoid racket when you have low voltage. Bypassed the solenoid and noise persists.

Pulled starter out, verified distance from flange to edge of gear is same as bell housing flange to flywheel.
Did notice Bendix was stuck in "start" or "Engage" mode.

Pulled nose cone off, cleaned everything up and seems OK now. There is some slop in pinion to shaft, so will need to get that fixed. Front nose bushing seems fine.,
Prior to engine pull, did compression test, no problem and no noise

SO, what did I miss in reassembly? I do not recall any shims anywhere. Find it realty difficult to believe starter went bad sitting on the bench for 3 months

Check out the anti kickback Bendix shown on page 35 of this 52 service counselor.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SC/SC-VOL26NO9.pdf

It says the Bendix can be retrofitted as far back as the 20th series but it might be possible it would also work on earlier starters and maybe it or a later starter was installed on your 17th series. The symptom of the pinion appearing to stay out in the engage position is a characteristic if the engine did not start and spin it backwards fast enough to lift the pin and spiral the assy back to the rest position.

Thanks, I'll dig into this further. Looks very similar to what I have now. Does not explain noise developing after sitting on bench for 3 months. Frustrating!!!

Turned out to be a cracked pinion gear !

I was amazed that you might find one on eBay or from this vendor.
ebay.com/itm/1940-1950-Packard-NOS-Start ... h=item33f4da6889:g:Lv0AAOSwSupboPO-