49 floyd,
What return spring? On the armature? How do you lube the shaft?
(flywheel is '50, all linkage is working fine)
I have had the truck for 15 yrs and never had a problem with the starter. Is it possible to damage one by engaging it too long? I recently had it die on me in town and it would not start and I cranked it for quite a while until I found out the distributor cap was cracked.