<VV> Starter Mystery

[Jim Becker]

A Bendix drive does use a spiral shaft (but not a solenoid).  That WIKI 
article is messed up.  It had a valid description prior to somebody editing 
it in Feb 2011.  Don't take my word for it.  Read the actual 1916 Bendix 
patent cited in the Wiki article.

Jim Becker

-----Original Message----- 
From: Joel McGregor via VirtualVairs
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2015 12:26 PM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re:  Starter Mystery

I seriously doubt the aftermarket starter actually uses a Bendix drive.  You 
also said no spring is involved.  What keeps the gear from grinding on the 
ring gear all the time?  A true Bendix uses a spring.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bendix_drive
The drive in a standard Corvair starter is commonly referred to as a Bendix 
although it technically is not because it uses a spiral shaft to keep the 
gear engaged.
Are you claiming that the aftermarket starters ram the fully spinning 
starter gear into the ring gear and just count on inertia to keep it there? 
No solenoid action?  If that is how they are built I wouldn't want one. 
That would be really hard on the teeth.

Joel McGregor

-----Original Message-----
From: VirtualVairs [mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of 
Dale Smiley via VirtualVairs
Subject: Re: <VV> Starter Mystery

The stock Corvair Starter DOES NOT use a "Bendix Gear" assembly to engage 
the Starter!
The Hi-Torque Starter uses a 'Bendix Gear' assembly that uses the Starter 
Motors rotation to make the starter gear engage the flywheel gear. When the 
engine starts the flywheel gear 'throws' the Bendix Gear back to the 
Starter. There is no spring involved and I believe it takes the 'kick' from 
the flywheel when the engine starts to return it to its 'normal' position.
If the engine doesn't start the Bendix Gear may not return to is 'rest' 
position!
Regards,
Dale Smiley (oldqmguy)