Engine install help
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 124
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I have been thinking about how to wire this and posting about it in the 460 engine section for the last 4 days. I have a new starter, and I just replaced the solenoid tonight after work, with no difference.
It's wired as such: + battery terminal to L side of fender soleniod, R side of soleniod to main terminal on starter, negative battery ground to engine. The starter has a jump wire/plate that connects the main terminal to the smaller S terminal. I have also replaced the ignition coil, so there is a possibility I have the two wires crossed on that. It's also possible I have a wire or two crossed on the alternator as well, but I'm pretty confident on those connections being correct. Not sure if any of those would cause the engine to turn clockwise anyway.
Another thing, which I'm not sure is related...after turning the key all the way to crank the engine, the engine stops cranking as usual when the key is turned back to the middle, but then the engine seems to crank back in the correct direction about 1 piston stroke when the key is turned back to off.
After 4 days of trying, I'm completely out of ideas on this one.
It's wired as such: + battery terminal to L side of fender soleniod, R side of soleniod to main terminal on starter, negative battery ground to engine. The starter has a jump wire/plate that connects the main terminal to the smaller S terminal. I have also replaced the ignition coil, so there is a possibility I have the two wires crossed on that. It's also possible I have a wire or two crossed on the alternator as well, but I'm pretty confident on those connections being correct. Not sure if any of those would cause the engine to turn clockwise anyway.
Another thing, which I'm not sure is related...after turning the key all the way to crank the engine, the engine stops cranking as usual when the key is turned back to the middle, but then the engine seems to crank back in the correct direction about 1 piston stroke when the key is turned back to off.
After 4 days of trying, I'm completely out of ideas on this one.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,482
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From: Topeka, Ks.
DC motors will run backward if polarity is reversed. The DC motor in this case is the starter. That has got to be what is wrong here. Double, triple check that you have the ground on the battery going to the engine block. I know this sounds so simple that this kind of mistake would be silly. Sorry!!!
Mark
Mark
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,705
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From: Wichita KS
Well lets think about this, if the wires on the alternator are wrong it is possible to charge a battery in reverse (reverse polarity) so the positive terminal might acctually be charged as the negetive. That's the only other thing that could explain what happened.
This starter you put on, was it the one that came off the old engine or is it a new one you installed with the new engine???
This starter you put on, was it the one that came off the old engine or is it a new one you installed with the new engine???
Last edited by fordnut1985; Mar 16, 2006 at 09:28 PM. Reason: misspelling
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Triple checked on the ground, it is going from the -battery terminal to a bolt on the L front corner of the engine, same location it was before taking the engine out. Starter is new. It looks just like my old one, and is what's called for that engine.
It is possible that I don't have the alternator wired correctly, but I wasn't sure if that would cause my problem. I tried verifying which wires go on each terminal in my Haynes book, but the color of my wires are different than what is listed in the book. I tried to place the wires on the terminal that seemed most likely given the length of the wire and terminal connection. The larger terminal on the alternator is correct, but there are 3 smaller connecteions that may be off. How can I tell which connection is correct?
It is possible that I don't have the alternator wired correctly, but I wasn't sure if that would cause my problem. I tried verifying which wires go on each terminal in my Haynes book, but the color of my wires are different than what is listed in the book. I tried to place the wires on the terminal that seemed most likely given the length of the wire and terminal connection. The larger terminal on the alternator is correct, but there are 3 smaller connecteions that may be off. How can I tell which connection is correct?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,461
Likes: 6
From: Abilene Kansas
the alt wired wrong wouldnt matter, far as im concerned take everything off the engine that you dont need, ie the belt and all that jibberish, till u get it started. i live in manhattan and i would think some of us fte boys could be around sat or sun if u want us to come around and help? im wondering if the started has something wrong with it. if its fairly new taker it back and say it doesnt work right and they should replace it
Matt
Matt
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,705
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From: Wichita KS
As long as the large wire on the back of the alt is in the right place you should be fine. I would take the starter to a starter repair shop and have them spin it to see if it turns in the right direction on thier test bench. If it turns in the right direction then there has to be a reverse polarity issue with the battery. If it turns in the wrong direction then get it replaced.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I had posted about my issues in the 460 engine forum as well, as someone suggested my engine IS turing in the correct direction. He provided a pic of his fan and described that the engine turns clockwise as you look at it from the front of the truck. My Haynes manual states it rotates counterclockwise, but they may mean looking at it from in the cab.
Anyway, if anyone has nothing better to do this weekend, you're all welcome to stop over to see if you can help get this beast started. I've done something wrong when wiring back up the alternator, coil, or starter (which I now think is correct), but am out of ideas. I could sure use someone to help point me in the right direction.
Anyway, if anyone has nothing better to do this weekend, you're all welcome to stop over to see if you can help get this beast started. I've done something wrong when wiring back up the alternator, coil, or starter (which I now think is correct), but am out of ideas. I could sure use someone to help point me in the right direction.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,542
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From: Manhattan, KS
If you have the starter fixed and can crank the engine over, you can pull a spark plug and leave it hooked up to the wire and turn the engine over and have someone watch to see if there is spark. You will need to lay the spark plug on the engine somewhere so you have the plug grounded.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Update
I pulled a plug to check for spark and it sparked. I noticed it looked pretty fouled, so I cleaned it off before putting it back in, put a little gas down the carb, and it fired up right away. I let it run for about 5 minutes and it idled great.
However, after letting it sit for about 3 hours, I tried starting it again and no go. I pulled each of the plugs, and some seemed oily or smelled of gas. Are my plugs getting fouled up fast, and that's not allowing it to fire this time?
However, after letting it sit for about 3 hours, I tried starting it again and no go. I pulled each of the plugs, and some seemed oily or smelled of gas. Are my plugs getting fouled up fast, and that's not allowing it to fire this time?