The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Starter Noise - 1955 261 with 12V starter

Hey Guys,

I thought you could help me out with a noise my starter has been making ever since the rebuild. I have a 55-261 in it with the 12V starter (168T I believe) I just took a video figuring that would be easier than explaining the sound

I bought the starter as a 'rebuilt' from Tom Langdon, but am not sure where to even start with this one. There doesn't seem to be an adjustement anywhere from what I can see except on the side of the starter linkage, but I figured I would leave well enough alone until I let you guys hear it

What year flywheel are you using?

If it is from a 6v truck, it will not match up with a 12v starter (it would have a 139 tooth flywheel).

The 12v flywheel has 168 teeth.

Hey Tim

Its a 168 flywheel too so they match. It's also a 12v starter

Check the teeth on the ring gear. See if there are any that are worn.

Also you may need to pull the stater and bench test it to make sure it engages and spins freely.

Have you been able to start this truck with this starter ever?

Yes. Truck will start fine ring gear teeth are perfect. It sounds like starter is engaging before it turns the flywheel, but then it does turn it to start it just fine it's been this way since I installed the starter. It runs starts just fine but isn't to fix it. It's not a grinding sounds like unmeshed gears. I'm thinking starter drive? Do these drives have a clutch in it that could be slipping?

Yes they do have a one way clutch in the drive. I am thinking the same thing as you that it is probably the drive. I don't know how the starter could spin without grinding, other than a drive problem.

Patrick,have you called Tom Langdon and see if he will warranty it ?


Tim

I did. Tom said "well, I had Marv supposedly go through it, so call him". I called Marvin and he said "what does Tom want me to do about it, call Tom" I called Tom back and he basically said "it's not my problem, he doesn't have another, and to just tear it down and figure it out.

Honestly - its ok, I have spoken to Tom a few times and I didn't expect anything else other than that response. Tom really owes me nothing either because that's the only part I've bought from him - and I'm glad that's the case. I always figured after talking to him and reading his posts on his website, if it ever came down to brass tax - this is how he'd react.

I called Patrick's in Arizona and he hooked me up with his guy. I got another one coming - 103 bucks and it comes with a new starter drive, no core charge and a two year warranty. Patrick also quoted me over the phone the drive diameter differences for the 139 versus 168 tooth so I can ensure it's the right one. That man is a walking encyclopedia

Should have done that in the first place. Patrick has been nothing but top notch and is the nicest guy. I buy virtually everything I can through him.

That's sad that he did not back a product he sold you.

I changed the starter drive in my suburbans starter,wasn't hard to do.I bought my drive from Jim Carter.You might want to order one and install it,may take care of your problem.Then you will have a spare starter or you could sell it.


Tim

Can Napa or another local parts store not get these starters? That would be the best route, then the warranty would be through local people you could actually go in and see.

Or take it to a local starter/alternator repair shop and let them look at.

I know from working in a parts store these starters are not that hard to get.

Roy - Thanks for the response. Napa said they do not stock it and I called a local repair shop (an hour away) and he quoted me 100 bucks to go through it. I'll probably have him fix my old one.

Wow - spoke to Rich at starter pros in Arizona. He helped me determine it was the starter drive last night. He had a starter expedited and rebuilt for me same day and put it in the mail yesterday. WOW - amazing customer service. He originally told me it would take a few days and then emailed me back and said "I wanted you to have it before the 4th of July holidays"

It sounds like you've got the problem solved. I'm very fortunate to have two rebuilders within driving distance who do excellent work and stand behind their products. One shop is about a 15-mile drie from my farm, and it's owned by a 2nd. generation member of the same family. They've got a huge stockpile of old stovebolt starters and generators, and the man who runs the place is very experienced at rebuilding the older stuff. The other place is about a 2-hour drive, and they specialize in antique electrical parts, even back to the T-Model days.
Jerry

Patrick,

Let's be clear about the starter from Tom Landon. Did he sell you a rebuilt starter that is not useable? How long after you received that starter did you try to use it, and did it not ever work properly?

As Tim posted above, this sounds very sad.

Put the new starter in tonight- problem solved. Also the ring gear looked perfect all the way around. The starter drive looks ok (visually) but must have been toast.

Tim - As from the starter from Tom Langdon - I purchased it when I rebuilt the motor over three years ago, I guess I could grab my book and look at the receipt, but no It always did that from the very get go. (have a listen to my first fire up video where the starter was first used). I'm sure if I pushed Tom he may do something about it but he was headed down the "well you had it for how long and why are you telling me its bad now" conversation. I did explain it's did it since first fire, and he said "why didn't you call me then"? I knew it was going nowhere.

Honestly, I don't want anybody to get the wrong impression of what i'm saying. I have no issues with Tom nor is this a whine session about him either. He's a smart guy - I'm just glad we have people like him that sells parts like this. I just wished that the people who rebuild his stuff would have done a better job (and he would have called them versus me calling)

Also, Tom said he doesn't have another one and doesn't want to carry them anymore either and I wanted this fixed ASAP. So I don't blame Tom for me wanting to expedite this and get it fixed ASAP while I have some time this week.