Good morning everybody!
I'm having a problem here, and I'm looking for some advice from anyone with an opinion.
Here's the deal: I flew to SF to pick up a '77 F250 (400) I just bought from the owner, and I'm on the road home now, driving back to Seattle. I only brought a carry-on bag with me, so I've got next to nothing with me as far as tools go, but I can get to an Auto Parts store in the next few hours.
The Problem: After pulling off to stretch out, the truck wouldn't start. I turned the key and heard a loud metallic grinding sound, kind of like what you hear when you try to start a car that's already running, but not quite as loud. The engine itself wasn't turning over at the time. I turned the key back to "off" quickly, and tried again, getting the same result each time.

I was on a siding road with a slight downhill slope to it, so I put it in neutral and gave a push to get it moving, then hopped in. I turned the key to the "run" position, shifted into 3rd, and dropped the clutch. The engine caught and started running. For the first 5 or 10 seconds it was running, I heard a "clattering" metallic sound, almost like the starter was partially engaged, but the sound faded out, and the truck ran normally until I pulled off at a gas station 10 or 12 miles later.

When I pulled in, I made sure to park in such a way that I could pop-start it again if needed after refueling. I checked all fluids and electrical connections as best as I could in the dark w/no tools, and everything looked OK. When I was ready to leave, I had the same problem, and used the same starting method again.

A few hours later, I decided to pull off and sleep for a few hours. I was halfway hoping the engine would be cooler, (though it wasn't running hot at all) and maybe that might have something to do with it, but had a repeat of the problem later.

It's raining and nasty outside right now, so I'm going to wait for a little bit, but I'm going to check and clean all of the electrical connections in the starting loop and examine all the wiring/cables at the same time. The alternator was charging just fine, (based on the gauge) and I don't really suspect it's related, but I wanted to ask if anyone thought the battery might somehow be a contributing factor. I know the truck has been sitting a lot, and not been driven much at all in the past year. Not enough current to power a high-output starter possibly???

I'm leaning towards the starter itself as the culprit, but before I pull it, I wanted to ask you all what you thought. I halfway remember the owner saying it had a new starter, and it does look like a recently added part, but I couldn't remember if he had pulled it and had it tested recently, (he had starting trouble when getting ready to sell) or if it's brand-new and he had just recently put it in for the first time.

OK, that's it! I'm hoping to get rolling without buying a ton of tools I already own at home, and I can pop-start it, but I don't like the idea of driving around like this if I can avoid it. I'll check back in on the board here in a couple of hours, and I appreciate any suggestions anyone might have! Cameron

1977 F250/400 (X 2 now!)
1999 Buell X1 Lightning

 

Starter is my guess too.

It appears a multi-meter would be good to have along

 

Been there, done that - sounds like a starter to me. Last owner may have replaced the starter with a rebuild and it could still be bad. Sometimes you have to go through several rebuilt starters to find one that is good.

You might check to insure it is bolted up correctly - sometimes people do not put the top bolt in and the starter works loose and does not line up correctly.

 

Thanks for the replies!
The starter looks good, but the bendix unit looks worn.
I heard from the last owner that he pulled and tested the starter last week with positive results. I'm about to check the FTE Sponsor links out, but in the meantime, does anyone out there know where I can get the bendix only, without having to buy the whole assembly?
Thanks again!... Cameron

1977 F250 400 (X2 now!)
1999 Buell X1 Lightning

 

Starter drive !

Anywhere parts like starters, are sold.

I would think you know what you are coming up to on the road ahead & I assume it's in the states somewhere.

 

A starter drive kit is generally about half the price of a rebuilt starter.( $20 vs $40 for a starter).

 

check and see if the bolts are loose
same thing happend too me all of a sudden. i bought a new bolt and it starts now exept my father ground the **** out of it trying to get it started to see what was wrong. CHECK THE BOLTS ON THE STARTER. WIGGLE IT AROUND TO SEE IF IT IS LOOSE

 

Just wanted to thank you all for your advice!
I picked up a a new starter drive and 2 cheap wrenches for under $20 combined, crawled underneath the truck in the NAPA parking lot, and was back on the road a half hour later. Running like a champ now! If only the last owner hadn't pulled the heater core... It's way colder up here than in CA I guess! That'll give me something to do tomorrow, anyway!
Thanks again... Cameron

1977 F250/400 (X2!)
1999 Buell X1 Lightning