I'm having a bit of trouble with my truck ('77 F250 with 460 engine).

Most of the time it starts just fine (turns over at normal speed prior to starting). After work today the truck started normally. After driving for 15 minutes or so I stopped at the 7-11 for about 5 minutes to get a beverage. When I went to restart the truck, it took about 7 or 8 tries turning the key before it started. Some of the times it would turn over slowly once or twice before stopping (I had the key turned to the start position the whole time; after the starter stopped turning there were no clicks or any noise at all, just silence). Other times it just clicked and didn't do anything else. It sounded to me like the battery was dead or close to it. However, on my 8th or so attempt it started normally (turned over at normal rate and then started).

I'm thinking the started might be bad, or maybe a bad connection somewhere. The only thing is that I just had it at a shop to get the starter re-attached. Apparently the old owner broke one of the starter bolts off and only one of the two bolts was holding the starter in place; eventually the starter shifted and wouldn't engage the flywheel. The shop drilled out the sheared off bolt and used a helicoil to remount the thing. They said the starter was fine at that time, although I guess starters can have intermittent problems.

Does it sound like my starter is the problem, or is there something else I should be looking at?

 

I'd check the battery/alt first. Sounds like you are losing juice. solenoid good?

 

Does it makes sense that it would eventually turn over and start normally if it were a battery issue?

How do I check the solenoid?

 

Does it do this during every (hot) re-start?

Could be heat soak, incorrect timing, corroded cables...

 

Not every time, although I haven't driven the truck much. I'll have a look at the cables tomorrow- that seems like a reasonable start. I'm a bit limited by a lack of mechanical ability, but I figure I can at least handle that.

 

If it doesn't start like the previous time in the incident. Get out hit the starter with a mallet and try to start it. If it starts fine you have a starter issue. By the sounds of it the starter is just wearing out causing random faults.

Similar situation happened to me but the starter wouldRotate the engine a few times then make the unwind sound, replaced it and haven't had another problem.

 

Yes, ever run a battery operated drill down, let off the trigger and pull it again? Batteries can get a little "reboost" once you let off and try again.

The way you say it turns over, slows down and stops makes me think the battery is draining pretty quick. What voltage does the battery have? Try hooking jumper cables up to it and see if you can get it to start.

 

Could be the starter but i think the battery is not taking a charge good. If it's an old or cheap made one it may take a charge but not hold it due to a bad cell. When i have one doing that i take it to the local NAPA store , they charge it up good then run a test on it. You can do that your self if you have a charger , i don't have one.

 

This is a good starter replacement,If that is what it is.:
DB Electrical - NEW Ford Mini Starter Truck Van Mercury 460 engine 3226 SFD0030

 

I had the same problem on my 78 S cab. The bendix eventually broke replaced the starter and a week later the problem came back. So I replaced the starter cable and used some heat wrap on the exhaust and that seemed to fix the hot start slow crank problem. Hope this helps.

 

I checked all the connections today, and everything was good. Also, I gave my starter a bit of an unintended workout when the truck ran out of gas (just had the tank replaced, apparently they put about 3 gallons back in, but the gas gauge isn't working anymore and was reading full). It took about 15 attempts at cranking prior to it starting. The starter worked normally about 13 of those attempts. The other two times it started to turn over (for maybe about 1/4 second) prior to stopping and then silence after that (no clicks or anything). The starter never turned over slowly.

Eventually I got the truck started and it seems to be okay. So right now it seems like the starter works 90% of the time, with the other 10% I basically get nothing.

I think I might go ahead and replace the starter since it is only $50 or so. How hard is it to do? The repairs I've done in the past are limited to replacing brake pads/rotors on a Civic, a new water pump on an 80s Cadillac, and a new carburetor on a motorcycle. Given my limited experience, would a starter be a reasonable job for me to do myself?

 

Don't just "check" the battery connections. CLEAN THEM! You should use a tool like this to get down to good, somewhat shiny lead:



.. then clean the terminal ends on the starter and the grounded end bolted to the engine. Plus cables can sometimes corrode within the sleeve where it cannot be seen.

Starter replacement? EZ... even a caveman can do it.

You should resemble this guy when working on these old rigs...

 

Yes , If you did the work you stated , This starter will be well within your skill set . Not so hard a job .

 

Have you checked the battery voltage yet? Better yet, take the battery in and have it tested. I've had batteries with good voltage but the CA and CCA were nowhere near where they needed. A parts store can test it, or Walmart, etc.

The incident you had: " It took about 15 attempts at cranking prior to it starting. The starter worked normally about 13 of those attempts. The other two times it started to turn over (for maybe about 1/4 second) prior to stopping and then silence after that (no clicks or anything)." Cannot be used as evidence one way or the other. Cranking any starter that much will heat soak it and make it not work right.

 

The voltage was a little over 12 prior to trying to start it. I think that's normal? I'll get it checked anyway since it's free and easy. Anything else obvious that I should check before changing the starter? Honestly, part of me just wants to change the starter since it's something I haven't done before, but I'd also like to get it fixed correctly. Thanks for the advice.