The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 1935 Chevrolet 6 Cylinder Positive Or Negative Ground?????

I have a 1935 Chevy 6 cylinder engine I just brought not sure if is positive or negative ground. The starter spins but will not throw out the starter drive out to engage the fly wheel. To matter how I set the jumper cables positive to ground or negative to ground the starter spins the same way. What am I doing wrong or is the starter bad??? Thanks for your help!!! 1-262-392-2989 or mribbich@wi.rr.com

Marv.

Negative ground.

The foot pedal linkage engages the gears prior to hitting the starter switch.

Steve

As Steve says, unless someone has put in a different motor, the pinion gear on the starter is slid towards the flywheel mechanically, not electrically. Make some observations while someone cranks. Lets us know what you have and what you see happening. If you now have an electric solenoid, the fix is different.

Why are you using jumper cables? Be careful switching polarity, you may blow something.

The starter does not have that type of option. Thanks!!!

What does that mean? Do you need help or not?

i checked out many images on a Google search 1935 Chevrolet engines my engine is on a engine stand there no provision on the starter for a foot pedal to engage the drive. Best to call me if you can help. Check the third picture down of the starter. Thanks!!!!

https://www.hemmings.com/parts/item/22110.html#&gid=1&pid=14

You are right Marvin, you have a bendix drive starter. Probably needs a little TLC. The procedure is in this section. Tells how to disassemble and clean. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1934/34crm131.htm The manual says it is likely it's gummed up, but they were not thinking 86 years. So maybe broken spring or retainer or pinion gear. Gotta tear into it. Pretty easy. Old stuff is simple....but finding parts may be difficult.

The linkage drive/over running clutch style we thought you had, was in about 1938. Your motor could have had a "Starterator". Groovy.

I know very little about your starter. Phone call is out. We all need to see the conversation, then all can help.

The gear moves freely in and out by hand but once you add the 6 volts to the starter it just spins and the gear won't shoot out would a broken spring cause that or is
there something stuck from years from sitting?????? Thanks to all so far trying to help!!!!!!!

Marv.

The answer is yes and yes. Don't know the cause until it's taken to the bench. Guessing won't fix it. Did you read the link I gave? Shows the Bendix parts. Explains function. A Bendix is a spring that is pushing the pinion down the shaft to engage flywheel. There is no "synchromesh", it's a crashing event. Over the years teeth get worn or broken. The spring will break also...or spring or pinion retention to shaft can break. Bushings, grease and dirt.....Ya naire know. Could be anything.
Take starter off. I don't think you want to mess with the electric motor part of the starter, just the mechanical. You are supposed to enjoy fixing stuff.

I do enjoy fixing things that can be fixed but this starter motor wore me out ( no matter how I tried I could not get the drive to move out.(I gave up took to a starter shop they will call with a estimate and will let you all know how it goes) Thanks to all that tried to help!!!!!!!!!

Marv.

Got the starter back from the shop they used a 8 volt battery to test it they said after cleaning it worked fine. Used a fully charged 6 volt battery after getting it home the starter still would move the bendix out. I also tried a 12 volt battery to it just for a second to see if more voltage would make a difference and it did the Bendix shot out with no problems seems to me more voltage seams to be the answer. Can the windings or armature loose it's power over the years of use and need more voltage to spin the starter faster?????

Marv.

OK Marvin lets reset here. Before we go any farther.
In trying to understand your problem and your explanation of your starter, I got off on the wrong foot possibly. Others were on the right foot. You said regarding foot starter " The starter does not have that type of option. Thanks!!!"
I misinterpreted that...... Also In your last post you probably meant to say "still would not move the bendix out"

1. You do have a foot start starter. I had not seen this type of foot start and didn't look close enough.
2. The foot linkage just pushes a button, called the "starter switch".
3. This spins the starter motor. The inertia of spinning the spring causes it to send the pinion into the flywheel gear teeth and spin the motor.

The info you just gave about the shop indicates that the bendix may be OK. I wish they would have used a 6V battery. But what that info says is that you need to do the following.
1. Get your 6 volt battery load tested by a professional.
2. Get new big battery cables.
3. Clean the battery posts really good.
4. Place the new ground cable on a starter motor bolt or a nearby bolt. Be sure to clean that bolted spot down to bare metal.
5. Test and report.

After you do all that and do it right, I believe you will solve your problem. I am not sure if the link you gave showing a motor is the motor you bought.

Hook up the battery with negative ground. Then wire the ignition switch "Run" terminal to positive coil terminal and the negative coil terminal is wired to the distributor.

29-37 has a starter design in-between hand crank and linkage operated pinion engage. A rebuilt one is $235. (Classic Trucks of America)

The engine is not in a car the starter mounted on the engine or out of the engine does not matter the starter spins with no problem but the Bendix drive will not go out. The battery is new with shiny cable posts the ground cable hooked to the engine with the starter mounted to the engine and the positive cable hooked to the starter switch at the top of the starter pushing on the switch is one way I tried it. The other way is the starter removed from the engine with the ground hooked to the starter and the positive cable hooked to the starter switch at the top of the starter pushing on the switch both ways the starter spins fast. Could the length of the jumper cables be a problem also the cables are 20 feet long I just had that thought as I was typing this out???????? I don't want to buy a rebuilt starter for $235.00 and find out I still have the same problem.

Marv.

Try finding a shorter cable that is thicker than booster cables.