'53 Flathead - Help with a starting problem?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 227
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From: Bethesda, Maryland
'53 Flathead - Help with a starting problem?
Hey, everyone. I'm hoping to get some help with a starting problem I'm having with my '53 F-100. It's running a stock flathead and I started having a problem a few months ago.
After driving for a while I came home and parked the truck. Several hours later I tried to start it again and all I got was a thud. Wouldn't turn over, just a thud. I sat and stared at the steering wheel for a few minutes (as I tend to do when confused) and tried it again. Still just a thud. About 2 hours later I wanted to listen to the "thud" sound again (so I could come to FTE and describe it accurately) and hit the starter button - but this time it started right up.
Next day I went back out and it started on the first try. Drove out to run an errand and after about 1/2 an hour I got the thud again.
Based on this limited description, what should I check first? Solenoid? Starter? Ground connections?
After driving for a while I came home and parked the truck. Several hours later I tried to start it again and all I got was a thud. Wouldn't turn over, just a thud. I sat and stared at the steering wheel for a few minutes (as I tend to do when confused) and tried it again. Still just a thud. About 2 hours later I wanted to listen to the "thud" sound again (so I could come to FTE and describe it accurately) and hit the starter button - but this time it started right up.
Next day I went back out and it started on the first try. Drove out to run an errand and after about 1/2 an hour I got the thud again.
Based on this limited description, what should I check first? Solenoid? Starter? Ground connections?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
It sounds like your starter might be getting close to needing some work - might be affected by engine heat, or your battery isn't getting enough juice to charge it to turn the starter.
I'll bump this back up so the flathead guys like Ross (Albuq F1) can take a better look at it.
I'll bump this back up so the flathead guys like Ross (Albuq F1) can take a better look at it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
At the front end of your starter, is there a bracket that goes from the starter thru-bolt to the oil pan rail? It is often tossed away. It supports the front end of the starter and maintains alignment.
The Thud sounds like the starter drive is not engaging the flywheel ring, or like Julie says, the starter itself is starting to die. Worn brushes may be at play here.
Are you running at 6 or 12v?
The Thud sounds like the starter drive is not engaging the flywheel ring, or like Julie says, the starter itself is starting to die. Worn brushes may be at play here.
Are you running at 6 or 12v?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 262
Likes: 2
From: denver
It's the "thud" part of this that has ME confused.
Every starter that I've had go baddo to brushes or armature usually whines or buzzes.
I like Ross' idea of misalignment though. Maybe just the bolts are loose causing the starter to hang down some, and the starter gear binds up in the flywheel.
Get back to us on the "thud", will ya?
Every starter that I've had go baddo to brushes or armature usually whines or buzzes.
I like Ross' idea of misalignment though. Maybe just the bolts are loose causing the starter to hang down some, and the starter gear binds up in the flywheel.
Get back to us on the "thud", will ya?
