The Ford Barn

JBohannon · 03-01-2012, 02:58 PM

My starter started making a grinding sound only while starting and then the next start or 2 after that would only spin. not engage. I pulled and realized one of the spring bolts was missing the one farthest from the starter motor. After reading a post I did the magnet trick and after an hour or so retrieved the mangled bolt. I put a new bolt in and I still had this noise although it did start the car.. So I pulled the motor again and it does not appear it is rubbing on anything. I tested the starter with battery cables. If I do not hold the motor tightly it has a lot of vibration. If I hold it solidly to the floor it smooths out pretty good but not perfect. Any ideas. Thanks.

1930artdeco · 03-01-2012, 03:36 PM

Did the shaft get bent somehow from mangleing the bolt?

Mike

Tom Endy · 03-01-2012, 03:55 PM

Check that the starter ring on the flywheel is flush against the stop. Some of the repos do not fit tight on the flywheel and tend to walk forward and contact the housing.

Tom Endy

700rpm · 03-01-2012, 04:04 PM

Also make sure that you didn't put a long mounting bolt for the starter in the back hole; it will rub against the flywheel if you did.

1931 flamingo · 03-01-2012, 06:31 PM

When I pulled my starter for differing reason I discovered the armature/drive area was bent. Replaced the armature and drive. What a difference.
Paul in CT

Tom Wesenberg · 03-01-2012, 06:32 PM

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The bolt at the far end (rear as mounted) is the long bolt, and the other bolt near the drive pinion MUST be a shorter bolt, as it can't bind on the shaft. Are the teeth on the pinion and ring gear is good condition? You'll have to walk the flywheel all the way around to check all the teeth. They usually wear in two areas.

The drive pinion is NOT a balanced part and they all shake when run on the floor. In fact the drive pinion has a weight which purposely makes it out of balance to help keep it from walking forward while the engine is running.

JBohannon · 03-01-2012, 07:39 PM

Thanks after reading your comments I am going to check my flywheel. I think my starter is ok because vibration is really not that bad. Joe B.

03-01-2012, 02:58 PM	#1
JBohannon Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 180	Newbie starter noise My starter started making a grinding sound only while starting and then the next start or 2 after that would only spin. not engage. I pulled and realized one of the spring bolts was missing the one farthest from the starter motor. After reading a post I did the magnet trick and after an hour or so retrieved the mangled bolt. I put a new bolt in and I still had this noise although it did start the car.. So I pulled the motor again and it does not appear it is rubbing on anything. I tested the starter with battery cables. If I do not hold the motor tightly it has a lot of vibration. If I hold it solidly to the floor it smooths out pretty good but not perfect. Any ideas. Thanks.

03-01-2012, 03:36 PM	#2
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: Newbie starter noise Did the shaft get bent somehow from mangleing the bolt? Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

03-01-2012, 03:55 PM	#3
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Newbie starter noise Check that the starter ring on the flywheel is flush against the stop. Some of the repos do not fit tight on the flywheel and tend to walk forward and contact the housing. Tom Endy

03-01-2012, 04:04 PM	#4
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: Newbie starter noise Also make sure that you didn't put a long mounting bolt for the starter in the back hole; it will rub against the flywheel if you did. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

03-01-2012, 06:31 PM	#5
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Newbie starter noise When I pulled my starter for differing reason I discovered the armature/drive area was bent. Replaced the armature and drive. What a difference. Paul in CT

03-01-2012, 06:32 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Newbie starter noise Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The bolt at the far end (rear as mounted) is the long bolt, and the other bolt near the drive pinion MUST be a shorter bolt, as it can't bind on the shaft. Are the teeth on the pinion and ring gear is good condition? You'll have to walk the flywheel all the way around to check all the teeth. They usually wear in two areas. The drive pinion is NOT a balanced part and they all shake when run on the floor. In fact the drive pinion has a weight which purposely makes it out of balance to help keep it from walking forward while the engine is running. Last edited by Tom Wesenberg; 03-01-2012 at 09:18 PM.

03-01-2012, 07:39 PM	#7
JBohannon Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 180	Re: Newbie starter noise Thanks after reading your comments I am going to check my flywheel. I think my starter is ok because vibration is really not that bad. Joe B.