Motor freezes up periodically

[cdubs]

What would cause a flathead to run great, and then a day later not even turn over? I can't even turn the engine over by hand... New oil, battery, new wiring, newly rebuilt starter ( which I took out and tested) no overheating.... And then, by some miracle, I'll try and start it another day and it will turn. Very frustrating. Oh, and does anyone know of anyone that can rebuild flatheads in south Florida?

Thanks all

[Russ/40]

Starter solenoid is getting flakey. Jump it to determine

[koates]

Hi there, Maybe hydraulic lock as in water (engine coolant) in one or more cylinders. Leaking cylinder head gasket, cracked head or block. Do a radiator cooling system pressure test to see if it will hold pressure on the tester gauge. Is your engine oil milky, water in the oil. Another test is compressed air into each cylinder spark plug hole with its valves closed and look for air bubbles at radiator filler. Regards, Kevin.

[ford38v8]

"newly rebuilt starter"

[Mart]

I don't know the answer, but I would really try to see if the reason for not turning is a problem with the starter or solenoid or something else on that side, or the big question is, is it not turning because it is stuck solid.

A hydraulic lock would cause that scenario, and would need to be investigated. If when it is not turning, you can't get the crank to move by pushing the car on a flat surface in top gear, then it is stuck. I don't know if it would move at least a little if pushed backwards if hydraulic locked, it's a new one on me.

Next time it is stuck, try moving it in gear, and then try with the spark plugs removed.

You need to try and troubleshoot this in logical steps, and ruling some things out is good because you can home in on the answer.

Good luck, I'll follow this one with interest.

Mart.

[Sal]

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Take your spark plugs out then try to turn the engine. Have some one look to see if any water/anti-freeze shoots out of a plug hole.

[Fibber Mcgee]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

"newly rebuilt starter"

That would be where I'd start. Next time it does it pull the starter. I like cheaper first.

[Ken/Alabama]

My bet is the starter.

[chuck stevens]

Freezing up, I was going to suggest moving to south Florida, so much for that idea. Check the starter, put her in high gear and rock it to dislodge the starter drive, Chuck S.

[36coupe]

I have had my starter lock up engaged into the engine.
I had to put the transmission in gear and rock the car back and forth and then it pops back in place and everything is fine. Seems to happen when sitting for a month.
The problem is most likely something simple.
As Chuck says.

[TStiles]

Had the problem you describe. It was the starter.

[RalphG]

Its well over 40 years ago but I can remember the 46 Ford truck engine "locking up". I had to loosen the bolts holding the starter on. I don't recall taking it right off, just loosened and that was enough to free it up as the gears had jammed. I don't know what vehicle you are talking but it was not a difficult job on the truck from underneath.

[cdubs]

You guys are the best. Thank you so much for all the replys. I checked the oil and no coolant in it. I took off the starter yesterday and tested it with the battery. It turned over without issue. It has the original solenoid, so I'll be picking up a new one. I'll also check for hydraulic lock. Would hydraulic lock be an issue that occurs periodically?

[Mart]

No, it would be a very uncommon thing. It was only mentioned because it is hard to think of a scenario where the motor would be stuck one time and then turning ok the next.

It is quite unlikely that this is the problem, but it can't be ruled out. There would likely be water in the oil so maybe you have ruled it out already.

Having water in the motor is a very bad thing and can even cause bent conrods if not found. You have not indicated whether the motor turns over without using the starter. (other than your original post where you did state the motor wouldn't turn by hand.)

Mart.

[TStiles]

Pay close attention to gear condition on that starter. And be sure it has the pan bracket to keep it from flexing under torque. If the gear has been damaged by the starter flexing/jamming, it'll be a bit larger project than just solenoid.

[supereal]

If the gear on the starter shaft is damaged, I'd bet the ring gear is, too. Most often, a problem is connected to the last thing that was done to the engine. If that includes your "newly rebuilt starter", I agree with the others. If you are using the new style starter drive " ("Bendix"), it may not retract properly. There have been posts regarding that.

[cdubs]

When I removed the starter, it took some persuading. I had to tap it a couple times with a rubber hammer to get the starter drive assembly to disengage from the engine, and when I did so, the Armature spun clockwise to eventually come off. Is that a sign of something?

[ford38v8]

It's a sign that it was jammed. A BFH is a very useful tool at these times.

[DD931]

Do you have the little bracket from the back of the starter to the side of the oil pan? If not, you should!! This is what it prevents!!

[Lawson Cox]

Simple as bad ignition switch at tunes.

[cdubs]

I do have the small braket that conects to the oil pan. My question is... Was the starter jammed because it's going bad or was it jammed because the engine is frozen... I pulled the plugs and found no fluid inside.

[RalphG]

Originally Posted by cdubs

I do have the small braket that conects to the oil pan. My question is... Was the starter jammed because it's going bad or was it jammed because the engine is frozen... I pulled the plugs and found no fluid inside.

I doubt there is anything wrong with your engine. But if the starter jammed once, chances are it could happen again. I don't know about these Ford starters but on my Olds engine there are shims to install or remove when bolting the starter on to the engine. This increases or decreases the clearance between the starter and ring gear. I'm sure there is somebody else on here who has worked on a Ford starter more recently than I have. Its been a while.

[keith oh]

After you removed the starter Did you rock the car in high gear watching the fan to see if the engine is free? If it is then it is probably the ring gear on the fly wheel has worn teeth and will have to be replaced.

[cdubs]

After purchasing a new starter, the culprit was..... a bad solenoid... At least its fixed. The starter was easier to replace then that dang, underneath the battery behind the firewall, solenoid... Thanks again for all the ideas guys

[trainguy]

Originally Posted by cdubs

After purchasing a new starter, the culprit was..... a bad solenoid... At least its fixed. The starter was easier to replace then that dang, underneath the battery behind the firewall, solenoid... Thanks again for all the ideas guys

Now you have a spare starter!

[Russ/40]

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Originally Posted by cdubs

After purchasing a new starter, the culprit was..... a bad solenoid... At least its fixed. The starter was easier to replace then that dang, underneath the battery behind the firewall, solenoid... Thanks again for all the ideas guys

What took so long? Didn't believe post 2?

[Ross F-1]

Did you buy a rebuilt starter that has the "new, improved" style starter drive?

[chap52]

Glad to hear you got it figured out...
"Let he who never purchased an unneeded part cast the first lug nut."