Starter Gremlin
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Starter Gremlin
I want to THANK all who offer your experienced help and advice for people like myself who want to take good care of their OLD FORD.
This Bud's for you.
My Truck: 1973 F-100, lwb, 390 2 bbl., c-6 trans.
Problem #1 (of 2)
My starter is only 15 months old, solenoid new (< 3 months old), battery is < 6 months old, new cables and terminals, $13 dollar(!!!) "Motorad" brand thermostat (mid-temp rating) is about a month old(installed after 2 "cheapie" Auto Zone recommended units failed between Aug-Nov., first one just quit(?) and the 2nd one lost the "guide pin" sticking half open/closed). In July I installed a NEW radiator, hoses, fan shroud and radiator cap. My truck was running GREAT, then COLD weather came. First cold day, my thermostat failed.
Fortunately, as advertised it failed in the "open" position.
No HEATER. brrrrrrrr. First thought was to tap on the thermo. housing, maybe free it up but concerned it might just slam shut instead.
>> In case this matters: The night before I topped off my radiator with (maybe) 3 pints anti-freeze and the next morning it was in-op.
> Question/s: What could cause (seemingly) persistent thermostat problems? Could an air bubble/pocket be trapped in there? What should I do?
Problem #2
1 hour ago I went to start my truck(in Park) and heard a VERY alarming (scrape/grind) sound (for< a second) then the sound of my starter free spinning. I tried it a couple more times making sure I was all the way in Park and checking my ammeter(?) to see if my battery/altenator was going down. Gauge looked good. I pulled it down into Neutral
(Yeah, I threw out a couple of "F bombs") and Vroom! it started right up! 
When I got home I replayed the same situation and got the EXACT same results. Park starting = No
Neutral starting = Yes
>2nd Question:
Neutral Safety Switch faulty? Low Battery? Altenator? Gremlins?
I don't know why some of my text is highlighted in blue. It isn't intentional.
This Bud's for you.
My Truck: 1973 F-100, lwb, 390 2 bbl., c-6 trans.
Problem #1 (of 2)
My starter is only 15 months old, solenoid new (< 3 months old), battery is < 6 months old, new cables and terminals, $13 dollar(!!!) "Motorad" brand thermostat (mid-temp rating) is about a month old(installed after 2 "cheapie" Auto Zone recommended units failed between Aug-Nov., first one just quit(?) and the 2nd one lost the "guide pin" sticking half open/closed). In July I installed a NEW radiator, hoses, fan shroud and radiator cap. My truck was running GREAT, then COLD weather came. First cold day, my thermostat failed.
Fortunately, as advertised it failed in the "open" position. No HEATER. brrrrrrrr. First thought was to tap on the thermo. housing, maybe free it up but concerned it might just slam shut instead.
>> In case this matters: The night before I topped off my radiator with (maybe) 3 pints anti-freeze and the next morning it was in-op.
> Question/s: What could cause (seemingly) persistent thermostat problems? Could an air bubble/pocket be trapped in there? What should I do?
Problem #2
1 hour ago I went to start my truck(in Park) and heard a VERY alarming (scrape/grind) sound (for< a second) then the sound of my starter free spinning. I tried it a couple more times making sure I was all the way in Park and checking my ammeter(?) to see if my battery/altenator was going down. Gauge looked good. I pulled it down into Neutral
(Yeah, I threw out a couple of "F bombs") and Vroom! it started right up! When I got home I replayed the same situation and got the EXACT same results. Park starting = No
Neutral starting = Yes
>2nd Question:
Neutral Safety Switch faulty? Low Battery? Altenator? Gremlins?
I don't know why some of my text is highlighted in blue. It isn't intentional.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,625
Likes: 342
From: Albuquerque
Sounds like your starter bendix is crapping out. Not engaging all the time. It will eat the teeth off your flywheel. It's hard to find a good rebuilt starter. I have a lifetime AutoZone unit that I've returned at least five times since 198?. Next time I'm going for an aftermarket high torque unit.
Same thing with the thermostats. The old Robert Shaws were the best. You can still get that design from Summit Racing as a Moroso part I think. There is a picture.
Same thing with the thermostats. The old Robert Shaws were the best. You can still get that design from Summit Racing as a Moroso part I think. There is a picture.
