Starter woes

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Jul 20, 2003 | 09:18 PM

Daddywags

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Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 218

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From: Spokane, WA

Starter woes

I've been trying to start my '62 292 but after charging my battery all I hear is a weak click in the solenoid. I've jumped it with my friend's truck; same results. So I looked up under the starter and saw that the teeth were meshed in with the flywheel, although not stuck. I can wiggle the gear somewhat and the round springie thing behind it is not stuck either - sorry I've never seen this setup before and don't know what it's called. I can push it back'n forth a tad, but it won't go back into the starter (assuming it's supposed to.) But also I noticed that the bottom bolt hole is broken, thus there is no fastner to hold the starter down. I can budge the starter very little with enough motivation, but seems solid enough - I know there is a lot of force going on down there when starting. Are there more than 2 bolts that hold this thing in? I didn't see/feel any others around he starter, but the way this project has been going I wouldn't be surprised that more would be missing or stripped. Do you think I need a new starter, or am I just that much closer to swapping in a 302/C4? Thanks!

Jul 21, 2003 | 12:59 PM

mtflat

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 6,779

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From: Kalispell, MT

Starter woes

Do the easy stuff first.

Take the truck out of gear - jump the solenoid (from battery to right side of the solenoid which should be the starter wire) If the starter cranks, replace solenoid.

If not, clean and tighten ALL electrical connections hot and ground, especially the block ground wire. This is the most common problem.

If still no luck, remove the starter and have NAPA or your favorite parts house test it. Same with the battery. Ignition switches can also go bad.

Sooner or later one of these components/connections will prove to be the trouble spot. Good luck with it.

Jul 21, 2003 | 02:25 PM

charliemccraney

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 2,389

Likes: 58

Starter woes

The starter does have 3 bolts holding it to the bell housing. Keep the 292. It can devour a 302. 292s aren't on every street corner and they cost just about as much to modify. You can still use a C4 with the 292 if you want. The 292 may be tired but with a set of ported heads and a nice cam it will eat a 302 for lunch. Check out www.ford-y-block.com

Jul 21, 2003 | 05:10 PM

Daddywags

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Spokane, WA

Starter woes

I can't believe some of the simple things I've forgotten since being out of the loop. Thanks for the help. I was gonna get a starter, but I'll check out your tips first. Thanks too, Charleymccraney - the engine has an rv cam and holly 650 already, can't wait to see what it does when I get it started.

Jul 22, 2003 | 12:32 AM

Daddywags

Thread Starter

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Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 218

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From: Spokane, WA

Starter woes

After your advice, I ended up yanking out the starter. Seems that everything else checks out ok. Only one bolt holding it in. That was too easy. Tomorrow I'll put a new one in, in anticipation that the problem will be solved.

Jul 22, 2003 | 11:07 PM

Daddywags

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Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 218

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From: Spokane, WA

Starter woes

Today I had my battery and starter checked. The battery was the problem. It was a battery that is supposed to be used as a trolling battery!!! The starter is good, but the top bolt hole was broken, just like the bottom block mounting hole. Don't ask me how, ask the PO. Now it wants to crank over real well. It started to want to run, then quit, and now won't do anything except spin. Set the points, but still not sure what's going on. I am getting fire - blue spark. Timing is pretty well off apparently.