starter challenge 64 1/2 260 Mustang

Clem Clement

Clem Clement

Well-known member
My 64 1/2 has been dorment for sometime. Stored in a dry garage on blocks. In trying to start it today-nothing. no sound when I turn the key and a large spark when I bypass the starting solenoid and connect to the starter cable. My next try is to disconnect the starter wire and apply power directly to the starter terminal. No spark at the starter means mice shorted the starter wire. Spark means to me that the starter comes out. (There was no sound of a starter jamming in gear).
This procedure sound reasonable?
clem
 
Can't get a spark if it isn't grounded. Bypassing the solenoid and getting spark tells me it's getting to the starter or the starter wire is shorted( grounded out) which a quick visual should tell you. No clunk tells me the plunger didn't get sucked all the way down to feed the field wires for turning the starter. No spark at the starter when fed directly now tells me the plunger is stuck part way down or the starter drive is part way out.
 
ThanksDave,
I disconnected the starter wire at the starter. Spark comes from the starter terminal when I make the connection directly with the hot terminal. Thus I starter needs to come out. I'm guessing maybe the starter is jammed in gear. The car holds an automatic so I can't rock the engine to free the starter. Maybe as I loosen it, it will free the Bendix. More greasy fun ahead.
 
The starter is out. I loosened it a bit an wiggles it with no noise. As the long bolts were nearly out, there was a click. Maybe the wrench or the bendix releasing. Anyway the bendix gear has a chipped tooth and the commutator is well worn. NAPA offered me a starter with the 1/2 covered end and mounting ears. Mine is like the Ev-8 where the starter assembly stubs secure the starter to the block. Advance Auto offered the same starter. Is there a starter # I can ask for for this car? Engine could be a 289.
clem
 
If it's a numbers matching car, it's worth having that starter rebuilt. Armature may have a number stamped on it. Other than the drive, it may be common to other Ford applications including tractors.


Now that the starter's out, does the engine turn over?
 
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no luck. FRustrating that my son is intown for a couiple of days ar we were go nna do a father/son fix 'em up. He did get to drive the 39 tho.

The Mustang block code is 4D277 Would someone please decode this for me. The car came with a 260 . This engine appears to be a 289. I'm not sure
 
If the starter worked before, take the one you have to an independent rebuilder. All big cities have one, small towns have farm repair places. There almost has to be one within forty miles of you.
 
You can bench test the starter yourself. Put a couple nuts on those bolts so it stays together, clamp it down in a vise so it doesn't get away, and use jumper cables. It's not a full on test but will give you an indication of whether or not it's working.
 
Starter problem solved.

Some of you may know my writing syle for the Model A and eV-8 nets. That is where I do most of my fixing work as I have a 30 model A and a 39 peeekup truck. I also tell on myself if I do something not smartly or clearly. In the last 2 months I have rebuilt 4 Model A starters and 2 ev-8 starters.

So with my son coming in from KC for a meeting I thunk I best get his 64 1/2 Mustang agoing. When l find the starter stuck, I'm thinking the ev-8 style with no ears and mounted by the long assemby studs. With poor lighting and no thinking, I took the starter long studs out and the starter came out. I even looked into the apature and seeing teeth, I figured it was a eV-8 style starter. Even NAPA tried to sell me a repro with ears... When my son took a look at the mounting area he immediately said the rest of the starter is still in place. Good for him and dumb for me. My thinking is not working any more. I did complement Joe on his work! So with a replacement 2-eared starter, the engine fired right up and I wil rebuild the old one as a spare. Next challenge is brakes. See my next post, please. Thanks all for the help and understanding.
 
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