Starter Sticking? - Big Red Flag?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,708
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Starter Sticking? - Big Red Flag?
I was bolting up the torque converter this morning and using my remote starter switch to bump the engine over. I can just turn the engine by hand and frnakly, it hurts my hands so I used the switch instead. I wanted to prime the carb as well.
In any case, while bumping it, I noticed that the starter gear is not disengaging from the flexplate between bumps. Is this normal?
I would normally not have been so paranoid, but the reason that I'm changing engines is that the starter boss on the old block was broken. I've got a new 400 block in and am just finishing up in preparation for starting and I did reuse the starter from the old motor. I know that there is an over run ratchet built in, but I think that it is supposed to pull back between bumps.
Please let me know if this is an issue. I'd really like to start the motor this weekend but I'd much rather wait for a new starter than break this block as well.
In any case, while bumping it, I noticed that the starter gear is not disengaging from the flexplate between bumps. Is this normal?
I would normally not have been so paranoid, but the reason that I'm changing engines is that the starter boss on the old block was broken. I've got a new 400 block in and am just finishing up in preparation for starting and I did reuse the starter from the old motor. I know that there is an over run ratchet built in, but I think that it is supposed to pull back between bumps.
Please let me know if this is an issue. I'd really like to start the motor this weekend but I'd much rather wait for a new starter than break this block as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,503
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From: Little Rock AR
TTT Here is a bump for you.
That does not sound all that bad to me. The bendix IS backing off a little because the engine is not continuing to crank. The over running clutch on the bendix should help save the starter when it does actualy start. I suspect that engine running will kick the bendix back to rest once it starts up. You WILL hear it if it does not kick out.
-Mark.
That does not sound all that bad to me. The bendix IS backing off a little because the engine is not continuing to crank. The over running clutch on the bendix should help save the starter when it does actualy start. I suspect that engine running will kick the bendix back to rest once it starts up. You WILL hear it if it does not kick out.
-Mark.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,708
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Thanks Mark. Looks like you were right. Took me a couple of tries to start it. Low battery. Distributor 180 degrees out (I had it right but turned it around on instalation 
) but as soon as it started, the gear kicked out.
Thanks
) but as soon as it started, the gear kicked out.Thanks
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,708
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
That's what Randy thought too. Might still be the case, but I'm focused on taking care of the electrical gremlins and oil leak first. The gear did disengage once it started, but I still think I need to watch it closely. A shim might be just the thing.
