will not start
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 5
From: Memphis, TN
will not start
I went to start my 1978 F-100, 302, automatic. I turned the key and got a hell of a noise that sounded like a thousand dishes breaking all at once! I immediately cut off the key and waited a few moments. When I went to restart all I got was a whirling, buzzing sound. I suppose that was the starter spinning. And that is all I can get it to do now.
What am I looking at here (besides $$$)? Teeth broken off on the flywheel?
Please help me with whatever info you can provide.
Thank,
CB3
What am I looking at here (besides $$$)? Teeth broken off on the flywheel?
Please help me with whatever info you can provide.
Thank,
CB3
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,247
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
X2 pull the starter, and hope it is just a bad starter. Take the bottom of the trans flywheel cover (insp panel) off and look for teeth/flywheel parts. And then turn motor over with a breaker bar and insp ALL the flywheel.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 5
From: Memphis, TN
flywheel?
I had to put off tacking this problem due to constant rain - the truck is parked in the back yard - not under the carport.
I removed that trans. inspection plate to try and determine if any teeth on the flywheel were broken or worn off. I could only barely see the teeth - and not enough to see the ends of them. I tried to work my finger in so as to feel for broken pieces at the bottom - but that did not work as well.
I placed a wrench on a bolt on the flywheel and turned the motor slightly. I then got in the truck and hit the key. The engine cranked for a moment, then went back to the whirling sound and would not crank again. I got back under to try turning the motor again, but now the bolt was not to be seen so as to be turned.
This effort definitely indicates that my problem is the flywheel. Correct?
Please share whatever comments you may have.
Thanks,
CB3
I removed that trans. inspection plate to try and determine if any teeth on the flywheel were broken or worn off. I could only barely see the teeth - and not enough to see the ends of them. I tried to work my finger in so as to feel for broken pieces at the bottom - but that did not work as well.
I placed a wrench on a bolt on the flywheel and turned the motor slightly. I then got in the truck and hit the key. The engine cranked for a moment, then went back to the whirling sound and would not crank again. I got back under to try turning the motor again, but now the bolt was not to be seen so as to be turned.
This effort definitely indicates that my problem is the flywheel. Correct?
Please share whatever comments you may have.
Thanks,
CB3
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 367
From: Kansas
I wouldn't say the problem is for sure the flywheel...the only way you are going to know is if you take the starter off and see some severely damaged teeth on the flywheel...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
You can the balancer bolt on the front of the crank to turn the engine over.
Turn the engine over a bit try the starter again. If it does the same thing remove the starter and check the teeth on the flywheel you can see them through the starter hole.
So either the teeth are chewed off the flywheel in this spot or the starer drive is toast. If the starter drive is toast you can replace just that or replace the whole starter. I would be inclined to just replace the drive as then you will have no issues with fitment as some of the replacement starters can have fitment/engagement issues. If you do opt for a new starter DO NOT get rid of your old one till you know absolutely for sure the new starter is going to function properly.
Turn the engine over a bit try the starter again. If it does the same thing remove the starter and check the teeth on the flywheel you can see them through the starter hole.
So either the teeth are chewed off the flywheel in this spot or the starer drive is toast. If the starter drive is toast you can replace just that or replace the whole starter. I would be inclined to just replace the drive as then you will have no issues with fitment as some of the replacement starters can have fitment/engagement issues. If you do opt for a new starter DO NOT get rid of your old one till you know absolutely for sure the new starter is going to function properly.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 110
Likes: 5
From: Memphis, TN
will not start
After sweating so much as to whether my flywheel's teeth were chewed off, I am embarrassed to make this post.
I started removal of the starter by using two long extensions with a socket to remove the positive cable to the starter. As I went to turn the ratchet wrench I noticed the nose of the starter swing back & forth. I immediately climbed underneath to find one starter bolt backed out about half way, and the other bolt stripped and not holding at all. A quick tightening of the one bolt and a replacement bolt for the stripped one was done. Then I climbed into the cab, hit the key, and the engine roared to life!
Thank all of you for your replies and advice.
CB3
I started removal of the starter by using two long extensions with a socket to remove the positive cable to the starter. As I went to turn the ratchet wrench I noticed the nose of the starter swing back & forth. I immediately climbed underneath to find one starter bolt backed out about half way, and the other bolt stripped and not holding at all. A quick tightening of the one bolt and a replacement bolt for the stripped one was done. Then I climbed into the cab, hit the key, and the engine roared to life!
Thank all of you for your replies and advice.
CB3
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,831
Likes: 121
From: St Albert, Alberta
After sweating so much as to whether my flywheel's teeth were chewed off, I am embarrassed to make this post.
I started removal of the starter by using two long extensions with a socket to remove the positive cable to the starter. As I went to turn the ratchet wrench I noticed the nose of the starter swing back & forth. I immediately climbed underneath to find one starter bolt backed out about half way, and the other bolt stripped and not holding at all. A quick tightening of the one bolt and a replacement bolt for the stripped one was done. Then I climbed into the cab, hit the key, and the engine roared to life!
Thank all of you for your replies and advice.
CB3
I started removal of the starter by using two long extensions with a socket to remove the positive cable to the starter. As I went to turn the ratchet wrench I noticed the nose of the starter swing back & forth. I immediately climbed underneath to find one starter bolt backed out about half way, and the other bolt stripped and not holding at all. A quick tightening of the one bolt and a replacement bolt for the stripped one was done. Then I climbed into the cab, hit the key, and the engine roared to life!
Thank all of you for your replies and advice.
CB3
Always pays to replicate the issue then do diagnostics. Fortunately, it was just a loose starter, and no need to be embarrassed you are not the first person this has happened to, and you will NOT be the last
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