Perkins starter blues

[Alan Wheeler]

I did a really stupid thing today. In fact, so stupid, this should be in the stupid section.
I have been having starting problems on the 6.354 perkins engine. I suspected the bearings in the starter, so pulled it out and my assumption was correct. So I went about replacing the bearings. This starter is quite different to what I have had apart before. It has some very unique features. Like there solinoid winding is in the actual nose bracket of the starter. Anyways. I got to the bearing which was also very different to what I had seen before. It was a white metal bearing for a start and had a bronze shaft that spins in it, but also throws out to throw the gear into the ringgear. This bronze shaft is thrown via a spiral in the armature shaft. Anyway's, I place a drift down the hole and onto what I thought was the back edge of the bearing. I placed this in my 20T press and applied some pressure. The bearing moved slightly and the seal poped out and then suddenly there was a huge bang and I had pieces of cast casig all over the floor. It turns out that there is a small cast lip that I was actually pressing against. Not the actuall bearing. I thought, of crap, I bet that's expensive. I went across the road to the local auto sparky and yep, he quoted me $2500 for a new starter and maybe $1200 for a aftermarket unit. Yikes!!! Well that was out of the question, so I am tracking down a second hand part for it now. I am onto a possible, Oh I hope so.
Geee I feel stupid.

[SkiprJohn]

Darn!!! Don't you hate it when that happens. Hope you can get a replacement a bit cheaper. Forklifts and tractors use Perkins engines.
JohnL

[irwinsailor]

MASSEY FERGUSON CRAWLERS STARTER MOTORS maybe this place can help. Perkins once owned Massey Ferguson as a outlet for their diesel engines.

[ssullivan]

Ouch!! Do you have shops that specialize in rebuilding starters? I have had the best luck at those types. They often have spare parts for starters you can order, rather than the entire unit (used or new).

I could give you some numbers, but of course the're in the States.

Best of luck.

[Alan Wheeler]

Yeah the thing is too darn heavey to freight cheaply enough over here. I am trackign down a secondhand spare part this mornign. Failing that, yes I have some farm machinery sources to start with next.

[Jesse Holden]

Hi Allan Wheeler
If memory serves me correctly The Perkins 354 is now produced by CATARPILLAR. Same great engine just a different color.If you have a CAT dealer nearbye they might have parts.
Jesse

[Alan Wheeler]

thanks for all the advice. But I got it fixed today. I managed to track down a second hand spare part and then rebuilt the thing for a grand total of $60.00. I am a very happy chappie.

[seafox]

Mmm, best to just hit it with a hammer next time.

[Alan Wheeler]

Well I kinda did. It just happend to be a 20ton hammer. That's the problem with a press of that size. YUou don't realise just what force you are actually exerting on small things till the go bang. I need to try fitting a pressure gauge to the thing so as I know what it is pressing.