NJT Model 20 Starter Retrofit help needed

ArtGill · August 13, 2011, 03:04:42 PM

My NJT 20 came with air start, which is neat but the tank takes half of an compartment. I purchased a rebuilt MD40 starter. I can't get the starter to flush fit to the flywheel housing because of the dip stick/fill tube for the auto transmission hits the solenoid on the starter. There is very little room to move the tube because of the frame in runs through.

Questions:
Could I totally relocate the tube using a rubber hose?

How do you get the top bolt in the Starter. I know there must be some secret trick. Please share!!!!

Is there a way to relocate the solenoid on the starter?

All suggestions will be appreciated. Hurricane season is here and I want to be able to run in style.

Thanks, Art

Boomer · August 13, 2011, 04:02:54 PM

Reclock the starter so that the solinoid clears the obstruction.

bevans6 · August 13, 2011, 04:36:18 PM

some starters the nose is held on with three bolts - take the bolts out and re-clock the nose to put the solenoid where you want it.

Brian

ArtGill · August 13, 2011, 04:41:18 PM

Thanks,
Can I re-index the shell with the solenoid on it with changing the "nose"?

Art

bevans6 · August 13, 2011, 05:01:48 PM

You don't change the nose, if it can be changed it's designed to bolt on in many combinations. Take a look and see. You normally cannot change the body of the starter at all, just the nose. You are looking for three or four or six allen head bolts hidden inside the nose of the starter. Mine is that way, so I'm thinking maybe yours is too.

Brian

bobofthenorth · August 13, 2011, 05:13:31 PM

Quote from: ArtGill on August 13, 2011, 03:04:42 PM
How do you get the top bolt in the Starter. I know there must be some secret trick. Please share!!!!

Well - with an MT 39 you (easily) hold the starter up there with one hand, reach in beside the motor (where there is tons of clearance) and slide the bolt in. On the 42 series it seems to me I used to start the bottom bolt and then work against it with one hand while I put in the top bolt on the end of a very long extension. Ask me how much I miss my 42 series starter.

luvrbus · August 13, 2011, 07:00:32 PM

Art the top bolt has to be a 12 point flange type bolt a regular hex head will not work good if you need 12 point flange bolt send me a PM and I 'll ship you one or 2 free ok top bolt is easy to install with the right bolt it has a 5/8 12 point head.
If you don't understand just look up 12 point flange head bolts on the web it will show you

good luck

RJ · August 13, 2011, 07:31:56 PM

Last starter motor I changed was on a powertrain that was out of the vehicle, but this thread (and others) raises a question:

Couldn't one, prior to attempting to install a starter, replace the top bolt with a properly-sized stud?

Nevermind - it dawned on me just after I typed that last sentence that trying to get a nut on the stud would be more of a PITA than installing a bolt.

However -

Perhaps a wooden or aluminum dowel could be used as a guide to slide/hold the starter in place until the other bolts are aligned, started and snugged down enough to take the load off the dowel?

FWIW & HTH. . .

bobofthenorth · August 14, 2011, 07:54:44 AM

As usual, Clifford has the A-answer. And the bonus with the 12 pt head bolt is that it will stay stuck in a 12 point socket so you can stuff it back into the hole on the end of that long extension. For a while there I had my 42 series starter in and out every month or so - since I switched to the 39 series changing starters has become a distant memory.

luvrbus · August 14, 2011, 08:00:36 AM

Blanchard is going to love you Bob sell all the 39M starters for him LOL

good lucl

ArtGill · August 14, 2011, 04:45:26 PM

UPDATE:
Today I removed the starter and found that I could re-index the nose. YA. With that accomplished I decided to dodge the heat and allow the sore muscles to recover and work inside on computers.

With the starter rotated so the solenoid is under the starter, getting the top bolt in is not so much a problem.

Thanks for sharing all the knowledge.

Art

ArtGill · August 16, 2011, 03:42:06 PM

THE STARTER IS INSTALLED!!!

Yes, I am shouting. Thanks for the help.

Art

ArtGill · August 21, 2011, 05:33:14 PM

The starter worked. I don't have any broken bones and only a little blood. I had a little starter stayed engaged problem with the Ford starter solenoid that I used as a heavy duty relay. I connected a ground to the "I" terminal. Removed the wire and solved that problem. Then I had an air leak where I removed an airline from the storage tank. I found the airline that feed the large storage tank for the starter at the air drier. I removed the line and put a cap. Test drive today. All is well.

Thanks for the hint to rotate the head.

Art