Engine turns backward???
 

Tried to start the '35 and something weird happened. I'm not an electrical person so am confused. Had car running about a year ago and today hooked up freshly charged 6v battery with + ground. When cranked engine it rotated clockwise (looking at engine front) and nearly started but ran the battery too low. Then when tried to pull the car in gear it to start, the engine rotated counterclockwise. When flipped on switch to coil and pulled again, engine rotated clockwise again, and when flipped switch off again it reversed to counterclockwise again ???
None of my buddies or I had ever seen anything like this before.
Just got started on flatheads, and not sure whats happening...any help?
Also installed new mech fuel pump but still not getting fuel to carb...using temporary tank can so don't think its rust from old tank??

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

The starter should crank it clockwise looking down at the engine from the front. Did you pull it with the trans in reverse?

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Just something to try, sometimes the mechanical fuel pump wants to be primed. If you have one with the glass bowl, remove the bowl from the pump, fill it with gas and reinstall. Good luck

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

You are using this pattern, correct?

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...-7213-H_ml.jpg

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Starter motors are wired so they rotate in the same direction no matter what the polarity of the battery is. When cranking on the starter or running a normal Flathead rotates clockwise. The only case that I can think of is a twin engine boat application requiring counter rotating props. One engine would need to be rigged to run Counter Clockwise.
The cam and starter and firing order would need modification.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

I would guess car was in reverse.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Not bad for your first post keep us informed "LOL"

R

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Dyslexic starter?

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

You have somehow managed to get the laws of physics repealed.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Yes, this pattern. Had it in 2nd gear then a friend also did and repeated.
We thought it was a reverse issue but wasn't...none of us had ever seen this before. The rotation changed when the switch to the battery was flipped...only change we made...was strange.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

How could you tell which way the engine was turning while towing it? Were you looking at the fan? I suppose it's possible the generator was motoring backwards??

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Sounds like pre-ignition but it can't run backwards but for a few revolutions. The pistons would shove the fuel back to the carburetor.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Post video or it didn't happen!

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Flip the differential over and you will be good to go. :)

R

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

I agree with Ronnie. It sounds like the center section was installed upside down, giving you three speeds in reverse motion and 1 fwd. Try pushing in high gear to verify this.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Ronnie- I'll get on the diff flip right away! You are as helpful as a bucket under a bull..."LOL" yourself.
40 Deluxe- wait by the phone until I send you the video!
To the rest of you guys, thanks for the suggestions & ideas.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Are you in Australia?

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Did you do this at night? (Serious question)
I just wondered if you are looking at the engine running and the strobe effect of ac lighting is fooling you?
Other than that, I think you may have done a con job your self. (not intending to offend)

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Actually Ronnie is VERY serious. If you push or pull the car with the transmission in a "forward" gear and the crankshaft rotates in reverse the center section of the rear end has been installed 180 degrees out of proper location.

As an aside, I know of a locally famous Rodder who rebuilt everything in his Cad powered 28 Roadster during a 3 month winter project only to slam it into the work bench at the front of his shop on the first drive of the newly rebuilt machine.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

First things first buy a new battery, then get can of gas and under starter power turn over see pump is working then start it. If the reared is backwards you will have 1 forward gear.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

I think your buddy had it in reverse and was bull sh///g u . or didn't know what he was doing. May be Bud was drivin,

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

I recall my Dad mentioning flipping the center section in the rear end and getting the 3 reverse gears & 1 forward. Something to look at.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Sorry for the negative comment Ronnie. I thought you were making a joke about my problem.
I will look at again as the last time we got it started was about 2 years ago, it ran for only a short time and we had 2nd gear in forward. I don't remember if we had 1st or 3rd in forward too. Then again it could have been in reverse and not in second, and we just didn't realize it,
We were outside in the daylight so the strobe effect was not an issue.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Again, thanks everyone for the help. I am new to the old Fords and this one had been messed with pretty badly before I got into it.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

I can not understand how a flat head Ford starter can turn an engine backwards. Look how the starter bendix is made. The engine could kick backwards.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

By the way, was this after a long day and was alcohol involved? LOL:D

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Just to be sure I'm understanding the issue: The engine turns backwards when push starting it, but only when the ignition switch is turned off?

I've read some weird stories on internet forums, but this one is in the top ten.

Sir, that's simply impossible.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

X 4 on that statement. Can't happen.

R

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

I don't think you could have the reared upside down not on a orginal car. The drain hole would be up top.
I have a 6 volt car and someone before changed the neg ground and starter works good. Just get it started with a good battery.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Stranger things have been done.

R

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

George/Maine, The whole rear end is not turned upside down; rather the ring gear is installed from the wrong side. Since the center section and housings are symmetrical, everything goes together just fine, but the axle shafts now turn the opposite direction.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Call Rod Serling for advice.

Sal

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Marv,
No alcohol but we sure thought about it.
The starter worked fine and turned the engine in the correct rotation...was just when we were trying to roll-start it that it changed direction with the switch on.
I'm going to go through it again just to make sure without doubt it wasn't in reverse instead of 2nd.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

If you put it in top (3rd) you can be sure you are not accidentally in reverse and check what happens and rule out any upside down diff possibility (however slight) You only need to move it a few inches forward to see the engine kick clockwise from the front.

Mart.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Having the switch on or off has no influence on engine rotation when pushing or towing to try and start.. We can only comment on what you are stating in your post.

R

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

I had an old 6 cyl landcruiser and I was dribbling atf down the throat of the carb trying to decarbonize it from what could be an old wives tale, but this isn't... After a couple minutes and some hiccups and near stalls, it hiccupped and started running backwards. It started racing up really fast so I went into the cab and switched off the ignition. No change, just mad acceleration. I can only think it was running as a diesel, fueling itself off hot atf sucked in from the oily wet exhaust and probably a pool in the muffler. There was a geyser of black crud exhausting out of the carb and the tailpipe was now the intake. Should have stuck a potato in the exhaust to kill it, but was just too freaked out watching this happen. Before this I had no Idea a normal 4 cycle gas engine can run so well in reverse. I would have thought the cam would have needed to be ground differently like a twin engine boat. But they can run backwards. No I didn't get a video.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Articulate, concise communication might clear-up the problem, or the question. DD

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Sounds like auto class .If some one has a rear and see if it can be upside down.
After Ford had few wrong ones they would have drill hole to go one way.

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Ahhhhhh.........like I said! DD

Re: Engine turns backward???
 

Well since there was no alcohol involved, :rolleyes:,,,,,,,,how about "wacky tobacky"? ;) That stuff can play tricks on the cranial cavity. :D