Advice on Installing a new started in a 52 8N

[jackl]

My new 8N 6V starter arrived today and I wondered if there is anything special I need to know to properly install it. I had no issues removing the old one other than having to loosen the oil canister to get the necessary clearance. Do I need to apply any lubricants to the bendix or the gear?

Thanks!

 

[8N Ren]

The mating surfaces between the starter and the bell housing should be rust free so the starter will operate properly. And don't drop the starter! You'll be picking up pieces lol. I did like you and loosened off the oil filter canister. Some folks take a die grinder and make the bell housing hole somewhat egg shaped to make it easier to re-install the starter. Make sure the bendix is clean, and your wire connections are clean, bright and tight. It's a pretty easy job and I am not a mechanic.

 

[jackl]

The mating surfaces between the starter and the bell housing should be rust free so the starter will operate properly. And don't drop the starter! You'll be picking up pieces lol. I did like you and loosened off the oil filter canister. Some folks take a die grinder and make the bell housing hole somewhat egg shaped to make it easier to re-install the starter. Make sure the bendix is clean, and your wire connections are clean, bright and tight. It's a pretty easy job and I am not a mechanic.

Thanks for the insight! I've done a lot of reading about taking the starter out and making sure you don't remove the long mounting bolts as they also hold the starter together, but I haven't seen much on reassembly. I have a brand new batter, brand new 1/0 cables and will make sure all connections are bight and shiny. I removed the old one with care, but the brushes were bad and the armature was scored and worn, so I figured I'd spring for a new one. I've seen some pictures elongating the starter flange, but I'll hold out on that unless I really have an issue.

 

[8N Ren]

Your quite welcome jackyl.
I lucked out and it looked like a previous owner had sort of done it already, but you get much better clearance with the canister moved. Good luck and post back with results.

 

[Soundguy]

you could hit the drive and shaft with a silicone dry spray.. but that's it. no oil or grease.

otherwise it is literally a 2 bolt job...

 

[jackl]

No problem installing the starter other than banging my thumb while doing it. I've had this tractor for 13 years and I always thought it turned over slowly because of the 6v ignition system. However, the new starter and the right gauge cables make a world of difference. Starts right up every time!

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. starter cables ar elike garden hoses. bigger hose flows more water..

 

[wolc123]

I am still waiting for the factory installed, 63 year old, 1800 hour, 6 volt starter and cables to fail on my 8N. I guess they really knew what they were doing back then. My much-newer John Deere needed a new 12 volt starter at only 3 years of age. I wonder what the difference in value would be between an otherwise same condition 8n that had been converted to 12 volts, and one with the original 6 volts would be? I have just a little bias against the 12's for reasons stated.

 

[Soundguy]

except to a collector.. the converted ones seem to not change value much..

some people wanting workers WANT the conversion

 

[wolc123]

I am not super good at determining the condition of used tractors, but I only really got burned once (where I now use the wing-nut). Every time I have found an old 6-volt starter tractor, that started good when it was cold, I have had great luck. I would be scared to buy one that was converted to 12-volt, for fear of excessive engine wear. It seems like 12 volts spins them so fast that even a completely worn out engine will start good cold.