truck won't start
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truck won't start
hi guys,
I just got an '86 f250 with the 351w H.O and it wont start. it makes a terrible screeching metal sound when i try to start it. Where should i start? i know i need to get more info. the guy i bought it from said that he went out one morning and it just wouldn't start. the engine turns over and i can see all the pullys and belts move when my dad tries to start it but it never gets fired. i know this is a bit vague and i know i shouldnt buy a truck that doesn't start but i was just wondering if anyone had any advice. thanks guys.
I just got an '86 f250 with the 351w H.O and it wont start. it makes a terrible screeching metal sound when i try to start it. Where should i start? i know i need to get more info. the guy i bought it from said that he went out one morning and it just wouldn't start. the engine turns over and i can see all the pullys and belts move when my dad tries to start it but it never gets fired. i know this is a bit vague and i know i shouldnt buy a truck that doesn't start but i was just wondering if anyone had any advice. thanks guys.
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yeah like dave said look to the starter, pull it out (5 mins) and apply current to it on a bench in a vice (extreme high torque motor can fly off bench if not secured. See if it turns ok and see if the gear is missing any or al teeth. When a starter is missing teeth, it will do that sound you describe.
edit
interesting you say it makes a noise but the motor is turning? back to basics. Check for spark. Check for fuel. Does it try to start or does it just turn dry? Do a compression check on the cylinders. The fact that the engine turns is positive. Is the screeching sound correlated with the rotation of the engine or the starter? If you do everything I just said, you will find the source of the problem. If it was the starter the motor would not turn unless the starter is very weak and can't turn the motor fast enough. Keep us informed on this!
edit
interesting you say it makes a noise but the motor is turning? back to basics. Check for spark. Check for fuel. Does it try to start or does it just turn dry? Do a compression check on the cylinders. The fact that the engine turns is positive. Is the screeching sound correlated with the rotation of the engine or the starter? If you do everything I just said, you will find the source of the problem. If it was the starter the motor would not turn unless the starter is very weak and can't turn the motor fast enough. Keep us informed on this!
Last edited by johnsnewtruck; Jan 16, 2008 at 08:44 AM.
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ok guys i pulled the starter and the bendix looks great. I tested it on my bench vice and the bendix engages and it turns properly so i think its good. the engine turns when i try to start it but when i tried to turn the flywheel with a screwdriver, it was stuck and i couldnt budge it. so i've ruled out the starter, next im going to make sure i have sparks in the cylinders. thanks for the responses so far.
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From: Indiana Cornfields
You might also need to shim out the starter. I know this is not very common with fords, but I had the exact same problem on my 460. It was cranking but sounded like it was just destroying the flywheel. Shimmed it out and had no problems since.
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so i got a new starter and a new battery and it still doesnt start. it does turn over i can see the pulleys moving when my dad tries to start it but they only turn a few times and it still makes that screeching/grinding noise. it seems like there is something broken mechanically that it stopping it from turning over more times when it tries to start. could i have broken bearings, crank shaft, cam shaft? what would be the symptoms of these? anything else i shoudl try? thanks
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That screeching noise is pretty scary. Sounds like maybe pistons are hitting the cylinder walls or maybe the crankshaft is going on it. We had a E350 van in at the shop I was working at that just screamed bloody murder when you tried to start it and it turned out to have a bad crankshaft.
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Originally Posted by dreo2003
the guy i bought it from said that he went out one morning and it just wouldn't start
My personal suspicion is that that guy is lying to you, he knows he f***ed up the engine pretty badly and is trying to take you (and your money) for a ride.
Just my suspicion.
Concerning your engine, it sounds to me like it's time to take it out and tear it apart. Hey, when you turn the motor (and it actually turns) does the rotor underneath the distributor cap turn?
-ct