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Just picked up this 1955 f600. Previous owner stated he had it running recently. Signs indicate that might have been quite some time ago. New battery new starter selenoid cleaned up battery cables and terminals. Lights work but starter won't go. Jumping across solenoid starter spins. Test light on solenoid control post lit up even though starter button was not pressed? Research here says to check and replace my cables first before anything else. Instrument panel and headlights work. Had to remove starter because gear was rusted stuck any advice would be appreciated would love to get this started and around to my garage before it gets too cold
Last edited by 1955f600; Nov 22, 2017 at 06:43 PM.
Reason: Add picture
Welcome to FTE the best Ford Truck Forum on the world wide Web! All your questions will be answered here. Did you get your starter rebuilt? Does your starter spin at all? What kind of shape are your cables in? They should be 0 gauge or 00 gauge. There will be other guys along to help you pretty soon
That's a nice US Army 55 F600! Thanks for the picture. Now you need to show us more. Is there a bed on it? Do you know any history of it?
Thank you for the reply. 26,000 original miles! Starter will spin when I jump across solenoid. I don't trust the cables or grounds going to work on those tomorrow. I just wasn't familiar with nothing happening my 53 6v ****** would at least give a thud and try to engage the starter. Po put dump bed on it. I turned down the giant dump box he had but got the parts to rebuild the flatbed and stake sides. He has a complete front clip with hood still if anyone is interested located in south east michigan
I forgot to mention I did pull the starter and the bendix is all rusted (mice built nest in transmission bellhousing). Previous poster mentioned that if starter spins when I jump across solenoid it is wired wrong. Isn't that the proper function of the solenoid? I am talking about jumping from battery to starter side. I still don't believe I am getting a signal from the starter button to the solenoid. Going to replace cables first. Great forum!
With these old trucks getting a good ground is important. Make sure that any surface that is part of the pathway to ground is clean and not rusty. If you get to the point of going for a rebuilt starter make sure you get one that is remanufactured in the US. I have had problems with brands that have come out of Mexican shops. The tolerances aren't as strict and when they get the starters in by the pallet it winds up being mix and match and the proper field windings and case can often be put with the wrong armeture. I had three Remy brand starters that caused problems and I finally went to NAPA and said I want an American rebuilt starter. Haven't had a problem since.
Nice truck. I would suggest you locate someone in your community that was in the military( motor pool) during the time of this vintage truck. They will have a wealth of knowledge on servicing the truck. Sometimes military applications can vary from civilian. Good luck with the project.
At the risk of being shot, I’ll make a suggestion. IF you are going to try to keep the engine, I’d suggest you purchase a Mini starter for a Y Block. They turn engines with high compression with ease and drive the flywheel from the engine side (original drives the flywheel from the transmission side).
I changed mine out and am very pleased with it.
Thank you for the replies I think I can get the bendix working again. Not sure if I will stick with original engine part of the reason for buying this truck is that I have a built 460 that needs a home
Previous poster mentioned that if starter spins when I jump across solenoid it is wired wrong.
The solenoid is simply an electro-magnetically operated switch (or relay) . If the holding coil is open it won't operate.
If the internal contacts are burned, it may "click" but will not complete the circuit from the battery to the starter motor. You can actually drill out the rivets and open it up to view the contacts (use machine screws to replace the rivets)
None if this is really necessary though, a new solenoid is only $15-20 from most auto-parts stores.
Electrical trivia to help eliminate confusion:
A relay is an on-off switch designed to switch higher electrical loads on the secondary side through contacts.
A solenoid is also an on-off switch, but it provides linear mechanical movement such as engaging a Bendix drive to a flywheel.
If your thing is mounted on the firewall or fender well, it's a relay. If it's mounted on the starter, it's a solenoid.
Mixer man great point
I have starters for the 70's fords that I have owned with the solenoid on the starter no need for that fancy bendix drive like this one has
Got the bendix freed up but I am confused. When I first worked it back and forth I got the gear portion to come nearly all the way down the spiral towards the spring. Now it wants to stop with a good amount of the spiral still showing. Seems that it is moving enough to engage/disengage the gear bit wanted to ask if this was normal before I put it back in. Picture 1 is all the way engaged, 2 is as far as it will now disengage. Engaged Disengaged
