Heads-up 2, Antique Tractor Starters

This is in regards to the old Delco screw drive tractor starters that were manufactured pre-1960's.

The idea for this post came in the shop the other day. It was a starter off an old 1940's to 1950's Farmall 'H' or 'M' model tractor. Someone had pulled this starter off a salvage tractor for my customer and he brought it in to be checked. He had tried it and it didn't work.

As it turned out, there was nothing wrong with the starter except the the person who removed the battery cable from the post (terminal, stud or whatever you'd call it) on the starter housing had twisted the post and tore off the field coil terminals inside, breaking the internal connection. Fortunately, I was able to bent the ends around enough to re-solder them to the post and repaired his unit. The rest of the unit looked like it had been recently rebuilt.

The problem here is in the design. There is no square shoulder on the stud (or post) to prevent it from turning, so care must be taken when removing the cable. It is usually best to use a back-up wrench when loosening and removing the top nut and cable. This goes for tightening it also, as turning the stud much more than 10 degrees will start tearing off the coil ends internally.

When I repair these starters, I use a dremel tool or a hack saw and cut a slot in the top of the post, inline with the starter body. This makes it easier to see if the post is turning and allows the use of a screwdriver to hold it, if needed!