Where does the starter bracket go?

[SoCalCoupe]

Stupid question: where does the starter bracket go? On the forward end of the starter? Seems to make sense.


Doesn't make too much sense to me that it would go on the rear end next to the flywheel, don't see how it would help or fit.

[Ken/Alabama]

One side behind the upper starter mounting bolt and the other behind one of the oil pan bolts.

[fortyonerag]

You're right.


On my 41, it goes between the top starter bolt and one of the sump bolts.

[chap52]

That is how it was on my 52 F1, top starter bolt and pan bolt... Chap

[19Fordy]

Look very carefully at the top right hand corner of the second photo and you will see where one flange of the bracket bolts to the starter bolt and the other flange to the oil pan bolt.

You can also see how one flange of the bracket attaches to the rear of the starter in the first photo.

[RKS.PA]

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Not a stupid question, Brad. And yes, you're right, purpose is to support the front of the starter motor.

[SoCalCoupe]

Thanks everyone. I get it now. That bracket is one more missing part from the previous owner's 20 year old refurbishment. I've heard that it also helps the starter ground connection, maybe the reason my hot cranking issue has resurfaced.

[RKS.PA]

Guessing the absence of that bracket isn't contributing to your hot cranking issue. Had that issue with the 6 volt starter on my '47, and solved it with a new starter. (An alternative might have been my rebuilding the starter with new field coils etc. and I may still do that, but the new starter solved my problem, so the body at rest wants to remain at rest!!)

[SoCalCoupe]

Originally Posted by RKS.PA

Guessing the absence of that bracket isn't contributing to your hot cranking issue. Had that issue with the 6 volt starter on my '47, and solved it with a new starter. (An alternative might have been my rebuilding the starter with new field coils etc. and I may still do that, but the new starter solved my problem, so the body at rest wants to remain at rest!!)

I was in really good shape 6 months ago after checking all the grounds and adding the missing ground strap from the firewall to the engine but it's been a very slow decline since then. Yesterday stalled at the end of my street (not enough choke) and had to wait about 10 minutes before it would crank. Only driven a couple hundred yards and only 65 degrees outside.



Pulled the starter and cleaned up all the grease around it and the oil pan with simple green. One of the bolts was only finger tight and the mating surface was really oily and was about 15% covered with paint. Cleaned up the oil and scraped off the paint. Cleaned the mating surfaces of the starter and mounting hole with carb cleaner and then polished them up with a Scotch Bright. Made a pigtail ground to go where the front bracket should be. I'll order a real bracket this week.



Substantial improvement but still not as good as six months ago. Have a really cheap 2 year old no-name battery that came with the car. I'll get it tested at the auto parts store tomorrow. If it's near end of life I'll get a new Optima.


If that's not it I'll try a new starter. Could use bigger battery cables and go up a couple sizes but since it was doing so well 6 months ago, I don't think that will be the magic.

[RKS.PA]

Brad, you won't regret the Optima battery as several have mentioned above. "Works good, lasts a long time!"

[19Fordy]

Good idea to install the correct battery cables. This has been converted to 12V but still use the 6V cables. Have you checked to see if the starter brushes are too worn down and need replacement? How are the starter bearings?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/17541046148...-53481-19255-0

Another thought! Does the starter crank over faster if you jump start it with 12V.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ebuild+starter

[SoCalCoupe]

Originally Posted by RKS.PA

Brad, you won't regret the Optima battery as several have mentioned above. "Works good, lasts a long time!"

WOW! The O'Reilly battery tester said my old battery was done for. That was my excuse to buy a new 6V Optima.


It's like a 12V conversion! Even when the car is heat soaked, all I have to do is THINK about touching the starter button and it fires right up. No more press and hold down multiple times hoping it will finally start cranking. No more safety worries about stalling in traffic.

[fortyonerag]

Originally Posted by SoCalCoupe

WOW! The O'Reilly battery tester said my old battery was done for. That was my excuse to buy a new 6V Optima.


It's like a 12V conversion! Even when the car is heat soaked, all I have to do is THINK about touching the starter button and it fires right up. No more press and hold down multiple times hoping it will finally start cranking. No more safety worries about stalling in traffic.

I went optima after my old battery died. Love it. If you are a purist you can get a cover for the optima so it resembles a vintage lead acid unit. Recommended.

https://www.tartopper.com

If you ever manage to fully flatten the Optima (long story) they are a bit of a fiddle to bring back without a special charger. It can be done, but you'll need to borrow another good battery to start the charge on the Optima.

[Ol' Ron]

There waz a time when everyone on the barn didn't know anything about anything. My stupid factor varies with the time of day. However there are a few here that were born with all this Knowledge. I still make mistakes, but not many. Stopped doing things.
Gramps

[325w]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

There waz a time when everyone on the barn didn't know anything about anything. My stupid factor varies with the time of day. However there are a few here that were born with all this Knowledge. I still make mistakes, but not many. Stopped doing things.
Gramps

What he said X 3

[V8COOPMAN]

.

Here are two pictures of the starter bracket in place.

Coop

[Kube]

Originally Posted by SoCalCoupe

Thanks everyone. I get it now. That bracket is one more missing part from the previous owner's 20 year old refurbishment. I've heard that it also helps the starter ground connection, maybe the reason my hot cranking issue has resurfaced.

When you remove your starter, make certain there is NO paint on the mating end of the starter nor the adjacent face of the oil pan. Both of these were "masked" at the factory prior to paint being applied to the nearby areas.