rtuhk

I ran into a similar issue on my 49 spitfire. First the solenoid wasn't strong enough to push the bendix into the ring gear so it would start to crank the motor then grind. I replaced the solenoid and you have to adjust it correctly to make sure it is meshing fully with the ring gears. None of this solved my issues, finally I figured I was losing so much voltage through my ignition key that the electro magnet was not working properly in the solenoid and didn't have enough strength to fully engage that bendix all the way into the ring gear. I ran a wire directly from the battery to the starter to test my theory and it worked!! I ended up mounting a relay on the firewall that is operated by the key and it works perfectly. The larger wires that run to the starter only power the starter motor itself. it is the smaller wires that energize the elctro magnet in the solenoid.

Thank you everyone for the welcome. @ Greg G, unfortunitly I do not think I will be able to make it down early enough Sat for that show. I would possibly like to run down Sunday for Car Craft or that new Kandy Khrome show at Treasure Island casino. Otherwise I want to make next weekends show in Grand Rapids MN. The Windsor has the fluid drive with the semi automatic behind it and it works great!!

Hello, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. My name is Ryan, I am from Duluth MN. Last year I picked up a rust free original 1949 Windsor Club Coupe in Chicago and recently completely redid the suspension, brakes, engine, cleaned up the old Fluid Drive and put brand new Cokers on it. So far this summer we have about 500 miles on it and are loving it!! I have restored several cars from the late 60's and 70's but never one this old. I have been extremely impressed on what a nice car this is, it is quiet, runs great, has plenty of power, rides like a dream at 60mph and I like the fluid drive! I have read the forums and have gotten plenty of information while I was building my car, I do all my own work and would love to share what I have learnt so far on this project.