Smoke from starter?
03-26-2019, 12:06 PM
#21
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"Pink wire in the morning, driver take warning!"
03-26-2019, 01:27 PM
#22
Melting Slicks
You might check your capacitors. Years ago I was driving along, everything good and suddenly a pop and billow of smoke from under the dash. Did the same thing as you, jumped out got fire extinguisher and looked under dash and hood and could find nothing. Car started normally and everything good. When I got home I took flashlight and examined under the dash and the capacitor on the back of the ammeter had blown. Must have developed an internal short and blew the thing apart. Since it is only there for radio noise suppression, it didn't affect anything and all systems worked normally. Was a scary moment as there was a huge smoke cloud and smell of burning wiring. 
03-26-2019, 02:21 PM
#23
Team Owner
Let's think about this a bit - the OP mentions nothing about smoke in the cockpit, so a dash wiring issue would have had to exude smoke - down through the fresh air vents where it wafted out the cowl grilles (opposite the normal flow of fresh air), again, without any smoke at the dash. That makes no sense to me...
I still pose that the smoke was from the rear of the hood and consequently - something in the engine bay is the source of the problem...
I still pose that the smoke was from the rear of the hood and consequently - something in the engine bay is the source of the problem...
03-26-2019, 04:38 PM
#24
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Let's think about this a bit - the OP mentions nothing about smoke in the cockpit, so a dash wiring issue would have had to exude smoke - down through the fresh air vents where it wafted out the cowl grilles (opposite the normal flow of fresh air), again, without any smoke at the dash. That makes no sense to me...
I still pose that the smoke was from the rear of the hood and consequently - something in the engine bay is the source of the problem...
I still pose that the smoke was from the rear of the hood and consequently - something in the engine bay is the source of the problem...
03-26-2019, 05:02 PM
#25
About four years ago the starter on my 67 300hp car gave a loud noise and locked up on the flywheel. Scared the heck out of me because I had a vision of hydrolock because I could not move the crankshaft back and forth with the belt. After I removed the starter the problem turned out to be the cheap aftermarket starter drive someone installed before I owned the car. I can't remember exactly, I think it came apart but you could still hear the fork pull in when trying to crank but nothing.
No smoke though but I did not hold the key on the crank position after the noise. I went on eBay and purchased all GM NOS parts to overhaul the starter and no more issues.
No smoke though but I did not hold the key on the crank position after the noise. I went on eBay and purchased all GM NOS parts to overhaul the starter and no more issues.
03-26-2019, 05:09 PM
#26
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About four years ago the starter on my 67 300hp car gave a loud noise and locked up on the flywheel. Scared the heck out of me because I had a vision of hydrolock because I could not move the crankshaft back and forth with the belt. After I removed the starter the problem turned out to be the cheap aftermarket starter drive someone installed before I owned the car. I can't remember exactly, I think it came apart but you could still hear the fork pull in when trying to crank but nothing.
No smoke though but I did not hold the key on the crank position after the noise. I went on eBay and purchased all GM NOS parts to overhaul the starter and no more issues.
No smoke though but I did not hold the key on the crank position after the noise. I went on eBay and purchased all GM NOS parts to overhaul the starter and no more issues.
03-26-2019, 05:13 PM
#27
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Let's think about this a bit - the OP mentions nothing about smoke in the cockpit, so a dash wiring issue would have had to exude smoke - down through the fresh air vents where it wafted out the cowl grilles (opposite the normal flow of fresh air), again, without any smoke at the dash. That makes no sense to me...
I still pose that the smoke was from the rear of the hood and consequently - something in the engine bay is the source of the problem...
I still pose that the smoke was from the rear of the hood and consequently - something in the engine bay is the source of the problem...
See Post #2....Common!! I want to be right!!!!!! After all OP said the starter was functional post episode..............
Last edited by dcamick; 03-26-2019 at 05:14 PM.
03-26-2019, 05:19 PM
#28
Drifting
Agree with engine bay short...which cut power to the starter...smoked for effect. Frame-off restoration should cover it
Last edited by Crunch527; 03-26-2019 at 05:20 PM.
03-27-2019, 10:24 AM
#29
Melting Slicks
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If you cannot afford to waste $100 here and there for better safety & reliability. You need to get out of the Classic Car Hobby and try something cheaper like fishing for a Hobby.
Last edited by CorvetteMikeB; 03-27-2019 at 10:24 AM.
03-27-2019, 11:18 AM
#30
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I would rather fix the problem that just blindly throw money at it. I wasted some money over 60 years ago when I took up the car hobby. I got smarter as I went along.
I try not to waste money, that's why I gave up fishing. Have you priced a new bass boat lately?
Last edited by MikeM; 03-27-2019 at 11:21 AM.
03-27-2019, 11:27 AM
#31
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03-27-2019, 11:33 AM
#32
I don't know if it's got anything to do with the O/P 's problem but if he can't locate the short that caused the smoke he has to take a look at the starter.
03-27-2019, 11:42 AM
#33
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I wish I could remember how it jammed and locked the engine but I was very happy (thrilled) to just have to overhaul the starter, I think it just all came apart into the flywheel teeth. I too had never seen anything like it in the past, I installed all NOS brushes, nose bushing, rear plate w/bushing, starter drive, fork lever, etc.
I don't know if it's got anything to do with the O/P 's problem but if he can't locate the short that caused the smoke he has to take a look at the starter.
I don't know if it's got anything to do with the O/P 's problem but if he can't locate the short that caused the smoke he has to take a look at the starter.
My money ($1.75) is on burned insulation on the starter field coils. I think the sucker jammed and got hot, then freed itself. I'd be examining every wire under the hood as well as replacing/rebuilding the starter. Leave speculation to the rest of us, as the risk of fire is in your garage, not ours.
Dan
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03-27-2019, 02:17 PM
#34
I couldn't get to sleep if I knew my car made smoke, still runs, and I didn't know why. This much I know. Broken cars cannot heal themselves. I think Frank is right-the smoke came from under the hood. If he couldn't smell it, it didn't come from inside. 55 year old plastic insulation has an acrid odor no shnoz can soon forget. And...a little wire can make a lot of smoke and stink, just as does a drop of gasoline.
My money ($1.75) is on burned insulation on the starter field coils. I think the sucker jammed and got hot, then freed itself. I'd be examining every wire under the hood as well as replacing/rebuilding the starter. Leave speculation to the rest of us, as the risk of fire is in your garage, not ours.
Dan
My money ($1.75) is on burned insulation on the starter field coils. I think the sucker jammed and got hot, then freed itself. I'd be examining every wire under the hood as well as replacing/rebuilding the starter. Leave speculation to the rest of us, as the risk of fire is in your garage, not ours.
Dan
03-27-2019, 04:39 PM
#36
Team Owner
After years in avionics I'll tell you that intermittent problems are the WORST..
The OP may never again have a problem, or he might tomorrow...
Too bad the tools to do a "growler" test are so rare now....
If the problem can't be located at least carry a fire extinguisher and have a battery cutoff switch...
The OP may never again have a problem, or he might tomorrow...
Too bad the tools to do a "growler" test are so rare now....
If the problem can't be located at least carry a fire extinguisher and have a battery cutoff switch...
03-27-2019, 05:06 PM
#37
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The FIRST step is to look for overheated insulation instead of going off half cocked and tearing the whole car down.
Mr Fuffy Doo hasn't bothered to check back in since he posted to see responses he's getting.
Just unhook the battery cable until you get a chance to look it over.
Mr Fuffy Doo hasn't bothered to check back in since he posted to see responses he's getting.
Just unhook the battery cable until you get a chance to look it over.
03-27-2019, 05:11 PM
#38
Team Owner
The FIRST step is to look for overheated insulation instead of going off half cocked and tearing the whole car down.
Mr Fuffy Doo hasn't bothered to check back in since he posted to see responses he's getting.
Just unhook the battery cable until you get a chance to look it over.
Mr Fuffy Doo hasn't bothered to check back in since he posted to see responses he's getting.
Just unhook the battery cable until you get a chance to look it over.
Swelled or melted insulation on any of the fusible links (even if they don't blow) are a giveaway...
03-27-2019, 05:28 PM
#39
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The FIRST step is to look for overheated insulation instead of going off half cocked and tearing the whole car down.
Mr Fuffy Doo hasn't bothered to check back in since he posted to see responses he's getting.
Just unhook the battery cable until you get a chance to look it over.
Mr Fuffy Doo hasn't bothered to check back in since he posted to see responses he's getting.
Just unhook the battery cable until you get a chance to look it over.
03-27-2019, 05:51 PM
#40
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