Starter Not Engaging

[TomT/Williamsburg]

My 32 project is nearing completion with a nearly stock '40 engine w/9" clutch and flywheel. I went to start it with plugs out to build up oil pressure and all I get is a whirring noise. I'm assuming either the drive is slippingon the shaft or it's too far away to engage.

I'm going to pull it out tonight and see if things are bolted down right, etc but is there anything else I should be aware of??

Thanks for any help you can give ....

 

[keith oh]

You may have a flywheel starter gear ring that the teeth are worn back to where the starter gear cannot engage. If so would require the flywheel removed and a new ring installed.

 

[jdl]

Check the starter bendix drive spring, it might be broken ! also do not put and grease or oil on the drive, they need to be dry.

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

I thank you both for your ideas - the ring gear was near perfect (although it was a used one) adn the Bendix spring was not broken. But ...

It seems the Bendix spring I was using was the culprit. I had what I thought was a new, replacement spring but I noticed there was little to no freeplay in the Bendix as it was installed on the starter shaft - there's usually about a 1/4" of play when I compared it to another stock starter. When I used the second starter, I swapped in this new spring as well - so, I had the same no freeplay and got the same result.

I changed to a stock spring I had on another starter which gave the stock freeplay and all is well now. The engine cranks over like a champ, oil pressure came up, and I'm about ready to start this baby!

Thanks for your help ....

 

[Dennis/Arkansas]

Glad the problem is solved. Thank you for letting us know what was going on. Dennis/Arkansas

 

[jdl]

Nice looking engine, glad you got it fixed, post some more pics when you get a chance.

 

[TomT/Williamsburg]

More pics ...

I've tried to stay as close to an early 50s theme (1953 is my target year) as possible, with my thought that this would have been built by someone with limited funds, some skills but limited tools.

This car was originally a 5-window that had the top cut off (for whatever reason), windshield chopped and a f-glass lift off top made. The "package tray" area is a trough that pretty much holds the rear quarters from flapping, keeping it together. The piece of wood you see in the trough area is where the top bolts on - once it's back on I'll address that piece and finalize upholstering it.

I've been working on this for nearly 6 years and in that time I've moved to a new house (5 blocks away), built a new garage, and had many, many setbacks. Consider this - it was supposed to be done for the 75th anniversary of the deuce! Guess I blew that one, huh?!? LOL!

 

[jdl]

Very Nice, Thanks!

 

[hbleadsled]

looks good, some one did a good job on the top