The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk bad starter?

I am looking for some help with my starter which suddenly stopped working. For some background, 6volt starter on rebuilt 57 235, 12volt electronic ignition, newer cables and all new wiring, new battery, new starter switch.

The last couple weeks it sounded like the the starter would take a second or two before it engaged and sounded different and was laboring a little. Then nothing when using the foot start. No sounds when cranking. That is when I replaced the 10 year old battery thinking it was the problem. Still nothing.That's when I replaced the starter switch. Still nothing when cranking. Do you think the starter is gone and needs rebuilding? I looked in the manual but nothing in there.

Got any ideas?

If you used the '57 flywheel with the 6V starter there is your problem. The teeth won't mesh.

My starter went bad on my '58. When I removed it saw that the previous owner toyed with the teeth too make it compatible,but it went bad anyway.I took it to NAPA and got a new one which has been perfect with my 235 engine,cost around $100....Hope this is of some help?

The linkage may not be pushing the switch button far enough to make electrical contact. I had trouble with mine that way.

Return spring? Or lack of lube on shaft?

49 floyd,
What return spring? On the armature? How do you lube the shaft?

(flywheel is '50, all linkage is working fine)

I have had the truck for 15 yrs and never had a problem with the starter. Is it possible to damage one by engaging it too long? I recently had it die on me in town and it would not start and I cranked it for quite a while until I found out the distributor cap was cracked.

Yes, a long cranking session can damage a starter, particularly a 6V model running on 12 volts. the "official" word is 30 seconds of cranking, followed by a 20-minute cool down period. Shorten the crank time, and lengthen the cooldown for one running at twice its design voltage. Starters run at nearly dead-short resistance, and the cranking current can be tremendous. As the speed slows, the back-EMF or counter-voltage drops, allowing the starter to draw more current. Don't ever crank an engine until it won't turn any more- - - -it ruins batteries and starters.
Jerry

Return spring pic

From Mr Denny Graham's web site

Thanks for the picture Dads50, that's what I thought he was talking about. It is in good shape.

Hotrod Lincoln it looks like I cranked a little too long and burned it up. It was about 100 degrees outside when this happened.

I stopped by the ol boy in town that rebuilds these and that was his opinion too. Now I am trying to get that bottom bolt off so I can run it over to him for a rebuild. It has been a bugger to get off. Got it soaking with some PB Blaster.

Been soaking the bottom bolt with PB Blaster for 4-5 hours and that baby won't budge...doesn't help that ya can't get a socket on there only an open end wrench. Will a hand held propane Benzo put out enough heat to speed it along?

Whatever you do, you don't want to damage the housing. Maybe you should consider grinding the head off.

Would love to know what you find. I'm having the same problem, but I have replaced the starter with a used one and still nothing. See my post: https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=675433#Post675433 for a description of my troubles, please.
Thanks,
Nick

A common problem is worn busings causing the rotor to drag on the stator. It is possible to change the bushings yourself with the correct puller. Most shops can do this. I have developed a real mistrust for rebuilt stuff. This typically comes with grey hair.

Try a good dose of heat, followed by a shot of PB Blaster or Kroil, if any is available. Just don't set the truck on fire! Also, try tightening the bolt, then loosening it. Once the thread moves a little either way, it can usually be worked out. Use a good-quality open end wrench like a Snap-On, to keep from rounding off the nut.
Jerry

Well I finally got it. Soaked with PB Blaster since Thursday and found a cheapo set of crowfoot heads today. A little cheater bar on the ratchet and came right off.

Get it over to the rebuilder on Tuesday morning and pick it up later that day.

The best thing to do is hot wire the starter and see if it spins. I should have done this before I bought one from the salvage yard. My old one works fine. The six gauge wire that runs from the battery to the starter was very corroded. I cut the end and reconnected it at the battery side and what do you know a working truck.