My '49 has an ignition problem. The ignition button does not start the engine, but I have got it to start a few times. The battery is fine, everything still works, but the ignition will not fire up after many tries. I have my old owner's manual, and there are a few things to test with the wiring and ignition systems. Any help would be greatly appreciated, though. If anyone could give me some advice, it would help a lot.

Thanks, Trent Kilpatrick

 

Sometimes it can be as simple as the start button not being grounded on the dash properly. The start button on the F1's I think is basically just a ground to make the plunger in the starter selenoid drop and connect the hot side to the starter lead. If what you are saying is that you are pushing the button and there is nothing happening, no clicking from the selenoid, this could be the problem, may just need to scrape some paint or rust off the back side of the dash where the button contacts to get it to ground good. If the selenoid clicks but doesn't do anything it may be bad.

 

If the button itself is fine, I'd suggest examining the cables between the battery, starter, and solenoid to make sure they are in good shape and the connections are clean and metal-metal. Also have the starter diagnosed. The solenoid itself may be the problem -- I imagine it can be tested but don't have my shop manual handy.

 

Rule #1 on flatheads is clean grounds! They are super fussy on grounds being clean and tight. You need to post wether it's turning over and not starting, or is it not even turning over. It's hard to tell from what you're saying.

 

It is not turning over, but the solenoid is clicking, so the button itself is grounded and okay.

 

If it's not turning over, #1, check all the cables for dirty connections and pull the starter and clean between the starter and the bellhousing. Take sandpaper or a wire brush and clean all the mounting surfaces. can you jump over the 2 big cable lugs on the solonoid and get it to spin? Test the starter while it's out.

 

Grounds, Grounds, Grounds,
Engine to Frame
Frame to Body.
Body to Engine
And do as Barry says.

 

I had a problem like this with my flat 6, the cable connecting to the starter was dirty, although it looked OK. It started hard or not at all. I didn't fix it in time and ended up getting my starter so hot it melted the soldier holding the stud to the fields in the starter. It is very important to have clean connections.

 

It sounds like you have been jumping the leads on the starter solenoid to start her.

It could be anythng from incorrect wiring to bad starter button or solenod. Your best bet is to follow the electrical trail and insure everything is connected properly and grounded.

Is this a new truck or have you changed anything that caused this?