bell housing hole?

Post by: **Bitsilly** » Wed Jan 18, 2023 7:12 pm

Ok, possibly the stupidest question ever asked but it has been a cold and damp day and I have no mental energy left, so my apologies.
Opposite where the starter motor goes, there is a hole in the back of the bell housing, as if an opposite starter motor could be fitted.
What goes in that hole?
Thanks!

Post by: **oldelanman** » Wed Jan 18, 2023 8:32 pm

Opposite where the starter motor goes, there is a hole in the back of the bell housing, as if an opposite starter motor could be fitted.
What goes in that hole?

The bendix of an inertia type starter protrudes through that hole and is covered by a cup shaped metal cap which is a press fit into the bellhousing. It's a Ford part suitably reshaped to clear the chassis in the Elan.

: image.jpeg (106.43 KiB) Viewed 1037 times

Post by: **Bitsilly** » Wed Jan 18, 2023 8:51 pm

thank you, It was definitely missing when I bought the car!
Hopefully they are still available!

Post by: **SENC** » Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:22 am

Post back if you can't find one - I (might) have one in my spares box. I seem to recall sourcing one for my Seven before discovering they didn't come with the cap.

Post by: **ericbushby** » Thu Jan 19, 2023 9:18 am

There are two sizes of that cover and the one you need is difficult to find.
I failed to find one and I temporarily botched it up with the bottom of a plastic bottle. Once painted black it looked OK and kept the dirt out.
Some time later after fitting a new high torque starter motor, the extended cover was no longer needed and I found the lid off a tin of brass shim fitted perfectly.
Good luck
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

Post by: **billwill** » Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:34 pm

I've still got a coco-cola tin as my cap over the bendix, been there for years now.

Post by: **alan.barker** » Thu Jan 19, 2023 1:32 pm

Leave it open, then when the Starter Bendix jams you can put a Spanner on the Starter shaft to release. 7/16" Spanner.
Alan

Post by: **oldelanman** » Thu Jan 19, 2023 7:06 pm

alan.barker wrote:Leave it open, then when the Starter Bendix jams you can put a Spanner on the Starter shaft to release. 7/16" Spanner.
Alan

The square for the spanner is on the other end of the shaft I believe ... no need to leave the bendix cover off for access.

Post by: **alan.barker** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 4:51 am

yes you're right i had a brain wobble dohhhh
Alan

Post by: **SENC** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 11:50 pm

Here are pictures of the 2 I have - they are the same size - right at 2.25" diameter. I started reforming 1 of them to see if I could get a fit on my Seven and will say these don't deform easily. I'd be happy to share either one if you are interested.