47' DeSoto Starter Spins But Doesn't Engage

[Bingster]

I started the car about a month ago and when we went to start it yesterday the starter spun but did engage. The only thing that I see wrong is that the yoke assembly plate seems to be missing a screw or pin that attaches to a piece of metal with a hole that matches up to the yoke assembly. The yoke must push that piece of metal into the starter. I could not see an accurate drawing of the yoke in parts books or repair manual. It doesn't show that metal "tab."

[Dan Hiebert]

I'm having trouble envisioning what you're describing as far as the mechanism.  But the symptom you describe is really not that uncommon.  The Bendix drive assembly that engages the flywheel can wear out or get stuck.  Removal of the starter is necessary, and you can do a bench check to see if the pinion moves like it's supposed to.  The service manual I have describes how to check the Bendix drive for wear and tear.  It can just be stuck, or there is a spring in it that can break that keeps the pinion from moving out like it should. 

[joecoozie]

41 minutes ago, Dan Hiebert said:

I'm having trouble envisioning what you're describing as far as the mechanism.  But the symptom you describe is really not that uncommon.  The Bendix drive assembly that engages the flywheel can wear out or get stuck.  Removal of the starter is necessary, and you can do a bench check to see if the pinion moves like it's supposed to.  The service manual I have describes how to check the Bendix drive for wear and tear.  It can just be stuck, or there is a spring in it that can break that keeps the pinion from moving out like it should. 

This might help:

 

[Bingster]

You can see the yoke assembly "plate" to the right of the gear. I can see where there is a small kind of "tab" connected at the top of the yoke assembly with a pin of some sort. On my starter that pin is not connected with the yoke assembly because the pin must have fallen out. I wonder if I insert a new pin if it'll work.

[joecoozie]

13 minutes ago, Bingster said:

You can see the yoke assembly "plate" to the right of the gear. I can see where there is a small kind of "tab" connected at the top of the yoke assembly with a pin of some sort. On my starter that pin is not connected with the yoke assembly because the pin must have fallen out. I wonder if I insert a new pin if it'll work.

Yes, it will work, but the pin should be a clevis pin with a hole in it so that you can put a cotter pin in it to hold it in place.

Or, as I have seen done, (not saying it is correct but it worked) a small screw will do the trick, too.

But it's best to fix it the correct way.

[Bingster]

Thanks for the parts drawing.