The Ford Barn

KDL · 04-04-2023, 05:03 PM

For the first time today, I had the starter lock up on the flywheel. Once I got the starter removed everything was free and looked fine.
Should I just reinstall the starter and hope for many more problem free starts or are there other repairs I should be considering?
Motor is an early 24 stud on 6 volts.
Thanks for the help.

Rudolph · 04-04-2023, 05:28 PM

Only one way to find out, do you have the bracket off the back of the starter to the sump bolt?

petehoovie · 04-04-2023, 05:35 PM

There's the possibility that you could have freed up the starter by rocking the vehicle back and forth while in 3rd gear, thus not having to remove the starter. These lock-ups are not uncommon in these old Fords..."just reinstall the starter and hope for many more problem free starts"

Kurt in NJ · 04-04-2023, 05:45 PM

look for bad spots on ring gear and starter pinion, blunted over teeth

KDL · 04-04-2023, 08:20 PM

Thanks everyone for the input. I guess I'll put it back together and see how it goes.
I did try rocking it in gear when it was stuck but it was parked on grass and there wasn't a whole lot of rocking to be had.
I do have the bracket to the oil pan rail to support the back of the starter. I'll give the ring gear a look before the starter goes back in.
Thanks again.

alanwoodieman · 04-04-2023, 09:24 PM

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make sure the starter shaft is not bent

KDL · 04-05-2023, 07:05 AM

^ Will do. Thank you.

Als48 · 04-05-2023, 09:10 AM

When doing the rocking trick, it's best to have the transmission in high gear. That makes it easier to turn the engine. Opposite of what one might think.

Al Hook

Don T · 04-05-2023, 04:05 PM

I have used this once, a notch in the starter plate; you need to carry a large screwdriver in your tool kit to rotate the flywheel. Now if the vehicle is parked over a mud hole there are other better options.

KDL · 04-08-2023, 06:00 PM

Starter is back in and working as good as ever.
Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions. Very much appreciated.

Pete · 04-09-2023, 03:32 PM

Install a gear drive starter and you will never have lockups or broken bendix springs again.

KDL · 04-09-2023, 08:07 PM

Pete, Is there a specific gear drive started you've had good luck with? Would it be available in 6 volts? For now, I'll run with what I have but another option would be good to have if it happens again.
Thanks

Pete · 04-09-2023, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDL

Pete, Is there a specific gear drive started you've had good luck with? Would it be available in 6 volts? For now, I'll run with what I have but another option would be good to have if it happens again.
Thanks

I did a couple about 5 years ago. I don't remember what brand they were. I got them from ebay. They had both 6 and 12 volt.

tubman · 04-09-2023, 08:56 PM

Several years ago, I was able to purchase a bunch of starter bushings and brushes at close-out prices from Rock Auto. My neighbor has a "growler" which makes checking armatures easy (although it can be done with patience and a multi-meter). Since then, I've successfully rebuilt three starters with good results. The only semi-difficult task is soldering in the brushes. It takes a large soldering iron.

I did this after I got a defective rebuilt from NAPA. I'm a 6 volt guy and am adverse to paying over $200 for a starter.

04-04-2023, 05:03 PM	#1
KDL Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Central MA Posts: 186	Starter problems For the first time today, I had the starter lock up on the flywheel. Once I got the starter removed everything was free and looked fine. Should I just reinstall the starter and hope for many more problem free starts or are there other repairs I should be considering? Motor is an early 24 stud on 6 volts. Thanks for the help.

04-04-2023, 05:28 PM	#2
Rudolph Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: North island Newzealand. Posts: 272	Re: Starter problems Only one way to find out, do you have the bracket off the back of the starter to the sump bolt?

04-04-2023, 05:35 PM	#3
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,151	Re: Starter problems There's the possibility that you could have freed up the starter by rocking the vehicle back and forth while in 3rd gear, thus not having to remove the starter. These lock-ups are not uncommon in these old Fords..."just reinstall the starter and hope for many more problem free starts" __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

04-04-2023, 05:45 PM	#4
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Starter problems look for bad spots on ring gear and starter pinion, blunted over teeth

04-04-2023, 08:20 PM	#5
KDL Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Central MA Posts: 186	Re: Starter problems Thanks everyone for the input. I guess I'll put it back together and see how it goes. I did try rocking it in gear when it was stuck but it was parked on grass and there wasn't a whole lot of rocking to be had. I do have the bracket to the oil pan rail to support the back of the starter. I'll give the ring gear a look before the starter goes back in. Thanks again.

04-04-2023, 09:24 PM	#6
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,964	Re: Starter problems Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) make sure the starter shaft is not bent

04-05-2023, 07:05 AM	#7
KDL Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Central MA Posts: 186	Re: Starter problems ^ Will do. Thank you.

04-05-2023, 09:10 AM	#8
Als48 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Paducah Ky Posts: 279	Re: Starter problems When doing the rocking trick, it's best to have the transmission in high gear. That makes it easier to turn the engine. Opposite of what one might think. Al Hook

04-08-2023, 06:00 PM	#10
KDL Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Central MA Posts: 186	Re: Starter problems Starter is back in and working as good as ever. Thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions. Very much appreciated.

04-09-2023, 03:32 PM	#11
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: Starter problems Install a gear drive starter and you will never have lockups or broken bendix springs again.

04-09-2023, 08:07 PM	#12
KDL Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Central MA Posts: 186	Re: Starter problems Pete, Is there a specific gear drive started you've had good luck with? Would it be available in 6 volts? For now, I'll run with what I have but another option would be good to have if it happens again. Thanks

04-09-2023, 08:56 PM	#14
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Starter problems Several years ago, I was able to purchase a bunch of starter bushings and brushes at close-out prices from Rock Auto. My neighbor has a "growler" which makes checking armatures easy (although it can be done with patience and a multi-meter). Since then, I've successfully rebuilt three starters with good results. The only semi-difficult task is soldering in the brushes. It takes a large soldering iron. I did this after I got a defective rebuilt from NAPA. I'm a 6 volt guy and am adverse to paying over $200 for a starter.