STARTER SOLENOID SHIMS

[billfiii]

I purchased a Ford 2120 knowing the starter solenoid was bad. I purchased a replacement from a local auto electric shop for $25, great deal. When I pulled the old, looked to be original, solenoid off there were no shims between the solenoid and starter casting. The new part came with four shims. I replaced the solenoid without the shims. I was perusing the Ford parts pages and the drawing showed the shims (4) on the starter. Does anyone know whether or not the shims are required, and what is the purpose? I've looked everywhere for guidance with no luck. Many thanks,

 

[Xfaxman]

Did it start?

Pictures?

Is it this type?


Or this type?

 

[billfiii]

It's the lower one, exactly. I've not tried to start it as I have the loader lift cylinders off repairing them. As soon as I get the cylinders on, and the temps are above 0, I'll give it a shot. Your thoughts please?

 

[Xfaxman]

The solenoid pushes the plunger, so the shims affect how far the plunger moves.

The plunger moves the pinion gear into mesh with the flywheel teeth. The contacts in the solenoid apply battery voltage to the starter.

I have no experience with this style, so I don't know how to set it up.

If you don't get an answer here, try posting in this forum: New Holland Owning/Operating

 

[billfiii]

OK, thanks

 

[mitch becton]

as already stated the shims are used to keep the drive from engaging to far and possibly breaking drive end housing the more the shims the less the travel time in distance and vice versa. now saying that the shims were only used on aftermarket units because the application and many similar you can use the same starter but the travel distance per application changes your original starter was mitsubishi part number m2t54085 which was a gear reduction style without a drive end housing per say the drive gear is exposed and engaged into flywheel and they are many aftemarket units you can find depending on your supplier if we can help anymore just post

 

[billfiii]

So should I use the shims? Thanks

 

[mitch becton]

sorry for late response away for a few days yes use the shims if the one you took off had them also they were to stop drive and armature damage because the drive goes to far into drive end housing

 

[billfiii]

No problem on the response. I've been waiting on warmer weather and we finally got it. I did not use the shims. The original did not have them. I tried starting the tractor yesterday and it fired right up. I'm thinking I'm OK.