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,
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.

X 4 on that statement. Can't happen.

R
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.


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