Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

This is really weird: I've been driving my '31 Model A all summer. Last time was 4 days ago. I get in the car tonight and it started to turn over for a split second and then stopped. I thought the battery was dead but light are good. I then, with the brake off, I then tried to rock the car in gear with the plugs out and the engine won't spin. I can't hand crank the engine either...like it's seized. I never heard of a perfectly fine running car suddenly suffer a seized engine. the last time I drove it I literally drove around the block and then home, not like I was on some long road trip and melted the engine down without oil in it or something. Any ideas?????

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Check and see if the starter is hung in. Unbolt the starter, you may hear a big snap as you loosen the bolts, which would be the Bendix returning. Or it could be a bad Bendix. Either way, that's what I would check next.

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Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Sounds like your starter bendix got jammed, a fairly common occurence with these cars. What I was taught to do was to put the car in 3rd gear and push from the back to unjam it which has worked for me.

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

My 48 F2 does it sometimes and it's a beast to get rocking to pop the bendix. :)

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Ok, before I break something let me make sure: push it from the BACK? Just making sure before I do something stupid...

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

I never had any luck rocking the car to release the stuck bendix,If I had the problem I would back out the three bolts and kick the starter and you would hear a loud snap.I don't thing I can lift my leg that high anymore.

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

I will update this evening/tomorrow on my success or failure. It HAS to be the starter. If not, I know what I'll be doing this Fall...engine pull. Eeeek.

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Once you get starter loose look closely at the shaft and check to be sure that it is not bent.

A bent shaft will be more likely to hang up in the future.

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

I would remove the Bendix and spin the starter . If the armature is a blur when it spins the shaft is bent .

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Will do. Thanks for the input.

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

BEFORE you remove the starter, "bang" it with a hammer. Might free it up. JMO and has worked for me.
Paul in CT

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Alright!! Actually fixing it with a hammer would be great...how often can you REALLY fix something by just banging on it with a hammer?!

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Great news thanks for the update

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

It won't "fix" it but it will get you running or off to the side of the road.
Paul in CT

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Do not push it forward. That will just jam it more or break something. Push the car back and don’t bang on anything.

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

I put mine in 2nd gear and get a friend in front and me in back and rock it back and forth hard and it pops right back , get in and start it up. dont be afraid to rock it hard. take keys out of car !!!!!

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

This is one of those times when a block of wood and a very large whammer is your friend

I had one stuck so tight that i had to take out the three bolts , then wail on it, the all of a sudden sproing! Rocking the car wouldn't budge it.

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Closure: The hammer wouldn't do it and neither would rocking the car. I removed the starter bolts (and it was still wedged in there), whacked on it again with the hammer, and finally resorted to rocking both the car and the unbolted starter. Finally it went SNAP and I was on the road again. As the kids were clamouring for ice cream and a Model A ride I deferred the starter shaft checks until next weekend.

Thanks ALL for the comments and tips.

Re: Motor Suddenly Stuck
 

Great post. Thanks for sharing the complete adventure. Chap