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| | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 | Was going to take old blue for ride to see how new springs feel but I get nothing from the starter.checked all connections, cleaned ends but starter does nothing. It is the foot stomper. Have power to the switch on top of starter but nothing happens when you push the button? Could that be bad? Thanks. Grady. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,436 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,436 | MAKE SURE THE TRUCK IS OUT OF GEAR!!!!
Try pressing down on the button with a screwdriver or some small lever. If that makes the starter spin, the contacts in the switch are not moving far enough when you "stomp" it. Some people have been known to put a bottle cap on top of the switch button to use as a "shim" until the new switch arrive.
Or, the starter could be bad. Starters often complain a bit before they die completely.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 | I tried that but it did nothing. I'm removing the switch now to see what it looks like. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2022 Posts: 557 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2022 Posts: 557 | The copper lugs in the switch are probably not making contact with the copper lug on the starter. Try operating the switch with a large screwdriver or a tire iron and see if any sparks come from under the switch. If I needed to buy a new one, I would get one from Steiner's Tractor. Better quality repro than the typical offshore auto stuff. They answer the phone and are cheerful and want to help. They also have Delco style points that are all metal. Reasonable, too.
~~ Jethro 1954 3100Back to LifeIn the Dity Gallery1951 3100 (gone) / 1956 4400 (still in the neighborhood) / 1957 6400 with dump body (retired) / 1959 3100 panel (in the woods junked) / 1978 Custom Deluxe K10 / 1993 S-10 4.3 / 2004 Chevy Crew Cab / 1945 John Deere H / 1952 John Deere B / 1966 John Deere 2510 / 1967 John Deere 1020 | | | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 | Got switch removed. Looked a little wore. Lug on starter was dirty so I cleaned it. Putting battery in now. See what happens. Thanks Jethro for info on Steiners. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 | Well, I still have same problem. Starter does nothing. Guess I'll have to get new switch. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 | Clean the battery cable connections- - - - -both positive and negative cable clamps. Take the clamps off- - - -don't just clean the outside of them. Scrub both battery posts with a wire brush, and scrape the inside of the cable clamps down to bright metal. That simple procedure has fixed at least half of the "no crank" complaints I've encountered, at least for the 65 years I've been doing it. Voltage at the starter doesn't mean the connections can flow enough currewnt to turn the starter motor.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,436 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,436 | Anyone who has enough mechanical savvy to pump his own gas needs one of these.I've had mine since around 1970.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 | I've got one of them terminal cleaners. Went and got new battery. The test at parts store tested old one and it was bad. Fully charged, but bad. Going to get new switch Monday and put it back together then see what happens. How do things just not work after just sitting? Its crazy. Thanks for all the replies. Will update when I get new switch. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,694 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,694 | Just sitting is the primary source of problems with any car. Electrical components are one of the worst for corroding, rusting, etc. while sitting. Humidity is the enemy.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,746 | Don't forget to check and clean the frame/engine block end of the ground cable. The connections at both ends of both cables need to be good for a complete circuit.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 | Got her started! Not really sure what the issue might have been. New battery,cleaning all ends of cables, or cleaning the build up of dirt under the starter switch on the starter lug? At any rate, it starts! Now for a test drive later on this evening. Thanks all for the replies. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,777 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,777 | That’s great GradyB! When you do the test drive, take a pic or 3 and post them in the Stovebolt driving report ! 
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
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