Troubleshooting '37 Ford (51 engine) - Battery?

mlsironi

mlsironi

Junior Member
My Ford is a '37 with a 51 8BA Mercury engine (flathead V8) is clicking but not starting. I have both trickle-charged and then charged it for 2.5 hours on a full charger. The solenoid is new and is clicking. The lights work and the electric starter runs when I turn it to "on".

Could this be an old battery that is simply not supplying enough power to get the starter going? The battery was installed in Oct last year but... it was on the shelf in my mechanics garage for I don't know how long. The truck ran to get home and a month later, didn't start. It hasn't run since.

I heard a friend had the same issue with his truck but found a jump start was what finally did the trick.

Any suggestions?:confused:
 
I don't understand ?? :solenoid is clicking, lights work and "the electric starter runs" when I turn it on.

Paul in CT
 
6V??...have you tried jumping straight from battery to starter to see if starter spins and turns over engine??....Mike
 
Sounds like your bendix drive is hung up or the ring gear on the fly wheel is worn or missing a few teeth. JMO
 
I am confused. I think we need to know what is clicking, when does the starter run, when the starter runs does the motor turn etc. Is the clicking from the solenoid?

Is the starter loose and of course are all the battery cables ends clean an tight?

Has the battery been tested at a reliable battery shop? I had one tested at Walmart the other day. The guy said it only tested two volts. The volt meter in the car showed about twelve volts. Their battery tester even measured the temperature of the battery- it was a complicated process. I noticed one of the side mount cable connections was loose. The granddaughter was almost convinced she needed a new battery. The Walmart employee has worked there a long time and was bragging about their new battery tester.

I am sure someone on this forum can solve this problem but a better explanation is needed.
 
Starter bendix stuck ? if so put it in 3rd gear & rock it backwards until it releases. Common flathead problem.
Gary.
 
Put the vehicle in nuetral and block the wheels. Then, jump the 2 large terminals on your solenoid. If the starter spins, it's not the battery. If it's still clicking, I'd say the problem is in the starter area. If so, then do as mentioned above by rocking it back and forth in 3rd gear. It may cause the bendix to release. You may have to remove the starter to solve the problem. Also make sure all the battery/ starter cables are clean and have good continuity thru them. They could look good, but have corrosion down inside. Flatheads need good grounds to start well.
 
If the starter is running, meaning its turning over.
Some times the bendix gets stuck on end of shaft and wouldn,t move.Best take starter out and get check out.
 
Sorry for confusing everyone. I'm learning myself. 10 years ago the engine was rebuilt with the '51. At that time an electronic ignition was installed.

When I flip the "on" switch, it (electronic ignition) starts humming. Then I go to push the starter button..."click" from the solenoid is all there is. So, there is no starter movement whatsoever.
The flywheel was just replaced it because the starter kept jamming - we had to keep removing it. So, new flywheel (clean sharp teeth).

I am going to give it a jump in the next day to see if that the cause is simply an old battery with not enough juice.

Thanks all.
 
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