The Ford Barn

ckain16 · 09-05-2017, 05:16 PM

This 31 model a was starting fine, has new battery. This morning wanted to move it and the starter 'clunked' and was locked up. I cannot get it to release.
Any ideas ? ? ? Thanks. [email protected]

fundytides · 09-05-2017, 05:35 PM

Common problem with old cars. Put the car in high gear and rock it back and forth, you will hear a snap and be back in business. I had my John Deere do that today. Since it is a crawler, it would take several men to rock it, so I put it in neutral and used the hand crank. This isn't as good as rocking but it worked the second time I kicked the hand crank.

RawhideKid · 09-05-2017, 05:35 PM

Put it in 3rd and rock it backwards!!

Jacksonlll · 09-05-2017, 06:26 PM

BAckwards only.

antiquepa · 09-05-2017, 09:49 PM

You can unlock it by rocking in 3rd gear, however mine was beginning to do it a lot, needed a new starter drive spring and have since had no problems,!!

heneste · 09-06-2017, 11:30 AM

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I've read if it still doesn't break free with rocking backwards in 3rd gear, you can also open the transmission inspection cover and use a pry bar to try to turn the engine in the reverse direction (use a board to pry against as you don't want to pry against the bell housing for risk of damaging it.)
If it does break free but you find it's happening more frequent, you may want to lubricate the bendix on the starter (not too much but just enough to allow free movement)

Kurt in NJ · 09-06-2017, 01:28 PM

Mine used to do it a couple times a year, since I replaced the ring gear no more problems the last 25 years

The ring gear gets the teeth blunted and worn usually in 2 spots--- sometimes a little work with a dremel putting the tapers back and cleaning up burrs can get you by

Marshall V. Daut · 09-06-2017, 02:06 PM

And be sure the ignition key is OFF when you rock the car in gear! It's easy to forget to turn it off when the starter locks up and you raise the hood to diagnose the problem. Should you rock the car in gear with the key still on, there's a chance the engine will start and the car takes off. 'Hasn't happened to me, but I'm sure one of the millions and millions of Model A owner in the last 85 years had this happen!
Marshall

Bob Wright · 09-06-2017, 03:54 PM

Had several Bendix springs break or shear bolt break, now only will use new style type.

09-05-2017, 05:16 PM	#1
ckain16 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 3	1931 Model A starter help. This 31 model a was starting fine, has new battery. This morning wanted to move it and the starter 'clunked' and was locked up. I cannot get it to release. Any ideas ? ? ? Thanks. [email protected]

09-05-2017, 05:35 PM	#2
fundytides Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 480	Re: 1931 Model A starter help. Common problem with old cars. Put the car in high gear and rock it back and forth, you will hear a snap and be back in business. I had my John Deere do that today. Since it is a crawler, it would take several men to rock it, so I put it in neutral and used the hand crank. This isn't as good as rocking but it worked the second time I kicked the hand crank.

09-05-2017, 05:35 PM	#3
RawhideKid BANNED Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Lower Left Coast Posts: 469	Re: 1931 Model A starter help. Put it in 3rd and rock it backwards!! __________________ Before Walmart you had to buy a ticket to the fair to see a bearded lady!

09-05-2017, 06:26 PM	#4
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: 1931 Model A starter help. BAckwards only.

09-05-2017, 09:49 PM	#5
antiquepa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: wheeling west virginia Posts: 231	Re: 1931 Model A starter help. You can unlock it by rocking in 3rd gear, however mine was beginning to do it a lot, needed a new starter drive spring and have since had no problems,!!

09-06-2017, 11:30 AM	#6
heneste Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa,Ontario, Canada Posts: 271	Re: 1931 Model A starter help. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've read if it still doesn't break free with rocking backwards in 3rd gear, you can also open the transmission inspection cover and use a pry bar to try to turn the engine in the reverse direction (use a board to pry against as you don't want to pry against the bell housing for risk of damaging it.) If it does break free but you find it's happening more frequent, you may want to lubricate the bendix on the starter (not too much but just enough to allow free movement)

09-06-2017, 01:28 PM	#7
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: 1931 Model A starter help. Mine used to do it a couple times a year, since I replaced the ring gear no more problems the last 25 years The ring gear gets the teeth blunted and worn usually in 2 spots--- sometimes a little work with a dremel putting the tapers back and cleaning up burrs can get you by

09-06-2017, 02:06 PM	#8
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,111	Re: 1931 Model A starter help. And be sure the ignition key is OFF when you rock the car in gear! It's easy to forget to turn it off when the starter locks up and you raise the hood to diagnose the problem. Should you rock the car in gear with the key still on, there's a chance the engine will start and the car takes off. 'Hasn't happened to me, but I'm sure one of the millions and millions of Model A owner in the last 85 years had this happen! Marshall

09-06-2017, 03:54 PM	#9
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern,Maine Posts: 141	Re: 1931 Model A starter help. Had several Bendix springs break or shear bolt break, now only will use new style type.