Stuck starter

L

Lenny Bruce

Senior Member
Just picked up a ‘30 Roadster. Previous owner converted it to 12v but kept the starter stock. Today I pushed the starter switch with my foot and it just locked up. I felt it and it was warm to touch. I tapped on it with a hammer but no luck.
Can I expect something broke or can it be taken off and unstuck? Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks
 
Put it in high gear and rock it backwards. The starter bendix probably got locked in the ring gear. It should pop off the ring gear with a few good rocks. Probable cause is trying to start it before the starter has stopped completely, starting with the spark advanced or a worn ring gear. Good luck.
 
After getting the starter loose, check the 3 mounting bolts for looseness. Remove the starter and check for shaft straightness. Inspect the Bendix.
 
Ok I will do that. I tried rocking the car in high gear but it didn’t want to budge. Maybe I’m getting weak in my older years Hahaha
 
Lenny, try grabbing the front tire at 10 and 2 o'clock. I rock the car in high gear using that trick (hack in modern vernacular) when the crank takes me past the timing dimple. I can easily move the car a few inches rearward and come forward with the crank again.

Might help you on the starter issue.
 
Ok Rob thanks it’s worth a shot! I think I better look into replacing the bendix to the V8 style seeing the car was converted to 12V
 
People have reported fixing a stuck starter by taking the switch off, taking the three bolts off, and turning the starter with a strap wrench. Disconnect the battery first.

To convert the starter to 12 volts, replace the field windings with the 12 volt kind, see https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=976153. Or you can rewire the 6 volt field windings so that they are all in series.

When you get it unstuck you will have to remove the starter to examine it as noted in the above posts.

I have had good luck with a modern Bendix drive on my 12 volt car. Like all things, there are good and bad modern drives. I had to buy 3 to find the best one. I forget where I got it.
 
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Lenny Bruce said:
Ok I will do that. I tried rocking the car in high gear but it didn’t want to budge. Maybe I’m getting weak in my older years Hahaha
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disconnect battery.loosen the three bolts pull starter forward. if rocking in gear doesn't work!
 
My old trick is for this, is the strap wrench. Takes me 5 min. To pop one loose.

Remove the 3 starter bolts. Place strap around starter, takes about a 1/4 turn and you will hear and feel it break free. Bolt it back up.
When you bump or almost engage a starter with 12volts, or go bump- bump on the switch, it's a good chance it's going to lock up.
 
Lenny Bruce said:
Just picked up a ‘30 Roadster. Previous owner converted it to 12v but kept the starter stock. Today I pushed the starter switch with my foot and it just locked up. I felt it and it was warm to touch. I tapped on it with a hammer but no luck.
Can I expect something broke or can it be taken off and unstuck? Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
Any update on your stuck starter?
 

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