The Ford Barn

Graeme / New Zealand · 03-28-2015, 10:03 PM

I went to start the car today. I cranked over a few times and then went dead. All I could get was a strong click from the solenoid. I tried rocking the car but could not break the starter free. I recently put another starter in that supposedly been recon'd years ago. I'm dreading having to take it out as the car is RHD this is no two minute job due to it being fouled by the steering box. Last time I had to disconnect a whole lot of stuff, jack the engine up and place a 4x2(2x4 to you northerners) between the chassis and push the engine across to the left so I could gain clearance to remove it.

I note when I push the starter and hold it the solonoid clicks and then I get a small sound that is similar to fart that is not quiet silent.

I've tried tapping the starter with a hammer but no luck. Can I try anything else before I have to pull the damn thing?

Last time the starter would not not engage with the ring gear and just spun, this time it appears to be hung up.

I should probably pull it and have it rebuilt properly.

thanks

GB

FlatheadTed · 03-29-2015, 02:03 AM

Try loosing the two long bolts then remove the plugs and rock the car .Also get some heavy duty jumpers and go from a 12 volt direct to ground and the starter solenoid side . Ted

swoopNZ · 03-29-2015, 02:38 AM

Do you have that small right angled alignment bracket in place ?

GEOFFNZ · 03-29-2015, 03:32 AM

You must have a nice original unmolested sump which is correct and unlike mine and others I have seen which have been heated and knocked in enough on the bulge to allow the starter to slide out easily past the steering box.A bit crude but it works.Cheers Geoff

Walt Dupont--Me. · 03-29-2015, 06:53 AM

Are you sure it's not just a dirty batt. cable or ground cable? Walt

Craig CT · 03-29-2015, 08:08 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Graeme / New Zealand

I went to start the car today. I cranked over a few times and then went dead. All I could get was a strong click from the solenoid. I tried rocking the car but could not break the starter free. I recently put another starter in that supposedly been recon'd years ago. I'm dreading having to take it out as the car is RHD this is no two minute job due to it being fouled by the steering box. Last time I had to disconnect a whole lot of stuff, jack the engine up and place a 4x2(2x4 to you northerners) between the chassis and push the engine across to the left so I could gain clearance to remove it.

I note when I push the starter and hold it the solonoid clicks and then I get a small sound that is similar to fart that is not quiet silent.

I've tried tapping the starter with a hammer but no luck. Can I try anything else before I have to pull the damn thing?

Last time the starter would not not engage with the ring gear and just spun, this time it appears to be hung up.

I should probably pull it and have it rebuilt properly.

thanks

GB

Hi Graeme; If you don't take it apart now and figure it out what are you going to do, carry a hammer and tools in the trunk for the next time it happens? No kidding, I'd take it apart now. You may have the wrong year starter. But what ever it is, it's probably best to get it right now. Good luck, Craig.

Bill S · 03-29-2015, 08:55 AM

Try to start the engine than feel the cables on the battery if they are hot than the starter is locked up. If not than check all your connections.

Graeme / New Zealand · 03-30-2015, 12:09 AM

Thanks all for your replies.

Swoop yes I have the bracket.
GEOFFNZ its Knocked in but not enough.
Craig CT Yes I've decided to do that and am in the process of of removing it. How would I know if i have the wrong starter. I wasn't aware there were differences year by year for the flatheads. The 2 different ones I've had in the car have different end plates but mount the same and are the same size, I put it down to Fords different suppliers.

GB

ford38v8 · 03-30-2015, 12:48 AM

Graeme, before you do anything else, please check the condition of your battery. Even if it is fairly new, you may not be getting a charge sufficient to do more than rattle your solenoid.

kiwitony · 03-30-2015, 03:12 PM

I had this happen to me, only time in 40 years i've had the truck that I had to put it on a tow truck. As others have said loosen the bolts and rock car in gear backwards and forwards it should bang/clunk and come free. My problem was not hold the starter button long enough for the engine to run, hence coming to a stop without being thrownout. It's a pity the little top hat that covers the starter gear isn't removable as this would make it a lot easier to see whats going on, maybe a worthwhile mod to do next time the engine is out. Good luck. Tony.

OhioRick · 03-30-2015, 04:12 PM

Bypass your solenoid and contact the starter terminal with a heavy cable directly to the battery. This will eliminate cable, ground and solenoid condition questions.
No go? then its time to test your battery before you dig into starter issues.

03-28-2015, 10:03 PM	#1
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,154	starter issue I went to start the car today. I cranked over a few times and then went dead. All I could get was a strong click from the solenoid. I tried rocking the car but could not break the starter free. I recently put another starter in that supposedly been recon'd years ago. I'm dreading having to take it out as the car is RHD this is no two minute job due to it being fouled by the steering box. Last time I had to disconnect a whole lot of stuff, jack the engine up and place a 4x2(2x4 to you northerners) between the chassis and push the engine across to the left so I could gain clearance to remove it. I note when I push the starter and hold it the solonoid clicks and then I get a small sound that is similar to fart that is not quiet silent. I've tried tapping the starter with a hammer but no luck. Can I try anything else before I have to pull the damn thing? Last time the starter would not not engage with the ring gear and just spun, this time it appears to be hung up. I should probably pull it and have it rebuilt properly. thanks GB __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

03-29-2015, 02:03 AM	#2
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,745	Re: starter issue Try loosing the two long bolts then remove the plugs and rock the car .Also get some heavy duty jumpers and go from a 12 volt direct to ground and the starter solenoid side . Ted __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

03-29-2015, 02:38 AM	#3
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: starter issue Do you have that small right angled alignment bracket in place ?

03-29-2015, 03:32 AM	#4
GEOFFNZ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oxford New Zealand Posts: 177	Re: starter issue You must have a nice original unmolested sump which is correct and unlike mine and others I have seen which have been heated and knocked in enough on the bulge to allow the starter to slide out easily past the steering box.A bit crude but it works.Cheers Geoff

03-29-2015, 06:53 AM	#5
Walt Dupont--Me. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gardiner Me. Posts: 4,200	Re: starter issue Are you sure it's not just a dirty batt. cable or ground cable? Walt

03-29-2015, 08:55 AM	#7
Bill S Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: H.B. So. Calif Posts: 411	Re: starter issue Try to start the engine than feel the cables on the battery if they are hot than the starter is locked up. If not than check all your connections.

03-30-2015, 12:09 AM	#8
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,154	Re: starter issue Thanks all for your replies. Swoop yes I have the bracket. GEOFFNZ its Knocked in but not enough. Craig CT Yes I've decided to do that and am in the process of of removing it. How would I know if i have the wrong starter. I wasn't aware there were differences year by year for the flatheads. The 2 different ones I've had in the car have different end plates but mount the same and are the same size, I put it down to Fords different suppliers. GB __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

03-30-2015, 12:48 AM	#9
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,285	Re: starter issue Graeme, before you do anything else, please check the condition of your battery. Even if it is fairly new, you may not be getting a charge sufficient to do more than rattle your solenoid. __________________ Alan

03-30-2015, 03:12 PM	#10
kiwitony Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Whangaparaoa New Zealand Posts: 263	Re: starter issue I had this happen to me, only time in 40 years i've had the truck that I had to put it on a tow truck. As others have said loosen the bolts and rock car in gear backwards and forwards it should bang/clunk and come free. My problem was not hold the starter button long enough for the engine to run, hence coming to a stop without being thrownout. It's a pity the little top hat that covers the starter gear isn't removable as this would make it a lot easier to see whats going on, maybe a worthwhile mod to do next time the engine is out. Good luck. Tony.

03-30-2015, 04:12 PM	#11
OhioRick Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 177	Re: starter issue Bypass your solenoid and contact the starter terminal with a heavy cable directly to the battery. This will eliminate cable, ground and solenoid condition questions. No go? then its time to test your battery before you dig into starter issues.