Engine will not crank

[buddyholley19]

29 Tudor totally stock car has never been an issue started and ran fine always. Tried to start her today Turned pop out ignition key on stepped on the start button and nothing no crank at all. battery has 6 volts I will to a load test to check it out all the connections look good Any recommendations from the experts here am a noob thanks in advance.

[nkaminar]

Before you do anything, answer this question: Is the starter turning over when you step on the start button but the engine is not turning over? If yes then the Bendix drive is broken. If the starter is not turning then proceed with the next thing as below.

Assuming the battery is good and the electrical connections are all good it has to be either the starter switch or the starter. Have someone step on the starter button while you measure the voltage at the starter switch. If the voltage does not change when the starter button is pushed it is the starter or switch. Take the switch out and try putting the cable on the button on the starter. It nothing happens then the starter is bad. If you get a spark or the starter moves then it is the switch. Do not allow the cable to touch any ground and do not have a gasoline leak or anything flammable around. If the voltage drops when the start button is pressed then the Bendix is stuck. You can take out the starter or try putting the car in high gear and rocking it back and forth to unlock the Bendix. You can do all this with the ignition off.

[David in San Antonio]

If you un-stick the Bendix gear by rocking the car while in gear, be sure to release the hand brake (I didn’t, and almost passed out from exertion) and be sure the ignition switch is off (this happened to someone else who said the engine started and the car, being in gear of course, proceeded to drive away by itself.) Eat your heart out Elon Musk, Model A’s have had self driving capability for 90+ years.

[Wick]

Make sure the battery cables are Thick 6v cables. Raise the hood and use your hand to push the starter rod. If nothing, pull the starter and bench test it. The starter has to have a good ground to function properly. Where the starter bolts up, everything needs to be clean bare metal....no paint.
When a starter locks up, remove the 3 bolts, use a strap wrench and rotate the starter a 1/2 turn.
You will hear it release.

[700rpm]

Could it be a broken Bendix bolt?

[Synchro909]

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Originally Posted by 700rpm

Could it be a broken Bendix bolt?

If it were, the driver would hear the starter spinning but there would be action. From the OP, I think he got no action at all which leads me to suspect the pinion is jammed in the ring gear.

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by Wick

Make sure the battery cables are Thick 6v cables. Raise the hood and use your hand to push the starter rod. If nothing, pull the starter and bench test it. The starter has to have a good ground to function properly. Where the starter bolts up, everything needs to be clean bare metal....no paint.
When a starter locks up, remove the 3 bolts, use a strap wrench and rotate the starter a 1/2 turn.
You will hear it release.

Turning the starter with a strap wrench that’s a nice trick ! CCW I assume ?