Starter or Solonoid?

[woodie49]

After the many responses to the dry carb issue, I decided to try to start my '49 using just the key, and whatever else Plymouth envisioned would get the job done at the time. Armed with a new Optima battery, I felt pretty comfortable that the thing would eventually start - and it did - eventually. It took probably 15 turnovers.

One thing I noticed, once the engine would begin to "catch", the starter would immediately pop out and sort of free-wheel. I have noticed this before, although, by the time this happens, the engine will usually catch and I am burning gas.

But, is this an indication that my solonoid is bad or that the starter motor is heading for the ropes? I love a car you can push start, but I don't really look that cool trying to push start the Woodie, so, I am hoping to fix this before it becomes an issue.

Maybe somewhat related, any real difference between a 0 guage and a 1 gauge for the battery cables?

Totally unrelated - still looking for that third seat.

[martybose]

After the many responses to the dry carb issue, I decided to try to start my '49 using just the key, and whatever else Plymouth envisioned would get the job done at the time. Armed with a new Optima battery, I felt pretty comfortable that the thing would eventually start - and it did - eventually. It took probably 15 turnovers.

One thing I noticed, once the engine would begin to "catch", the starter would immediately pop out and sort of free-wheel. I have noticed this before, although, by the time this happens, the engine will usually catch and I am burning gas.

But, is this an indication that my solonoid is bad or that the starter motor is heading for the ropes? I love a car you can push start, but I don't really look that cool trying to push start the Woodie, so, I am hoping to fix this before it becomes an issue.

Maybe somewhat related, any real difference between a 0 guage and a 1 gauge for the battery cables?

Totally unrelated - still looking for that third seat.

There isn't a solenoid involved in engaging the starter pinion. When the starter armature fires up the pinion climbs a thread to engage the flywheel. When either the armature stops or the flywheel speeds up, the pinion climbs in the opposite direction to disengage from the flywheel. I'm not sure that you actually have a problem, as mine does the same thing on rare occasions.

I can't really comment on the difference between 0 and 1 gauge, other than to say that I put 00 cable on my starter and it worked quite well.

Marty

[Lou Earle]

"One thing I noticed, once the engine would begin to "catch", the starter would immediately pop out and sort of free-wheel. I have noticed this before, although, by the time this happens, the engine will usually catch and I am burning gas."

My experience is this "kicking out" of turning flywheel indicates is usually caused by spark being to far advanced and kicking back engine - that is the spark ignites the fuel before the piston is in proper place and the engine kicks back a bit and the starter is dis engaged.

Also u want good battery cables - get some welding leads and have some made up - they are really good

Lou

[greg g]

Also your bendix spring could be weak. I believe you can shim it to keep it engaged for a couple more revolutions before it kicks out.

[randroid]

Gents,

Personally, I'd look closely at the pinion bearing on the end of the starter shaft. If the starter is spinning after it disengages that is an indication that the pinion gear is being 'thrown' out of contact rather than simply disengaging on its own. Check for a bevel on the outside end of the gear; there shouldn't be any bevel.

Ain't a bad thing to have happen and not all that difficult to fix, but worth looking at while it's apart.

-Randy

[Young Ed]

I'm with Greg on this one. My car does this occasionally too. Someone in our local club just gave us a rebuilt looking p15 starter. Might give it a try. 1 gauge cable is OEM spec. and should be just fine. I have them on my car.

[BobT-47P15]

The larger the cable, the more current goes thru with the 6V system.

I went to a battery specialty store....asked for "O" gauge cables to

be made up. They happened to be out of the correct cable ends that

day, so I took "OO" gauge instead. Did notice a little more oomph in the

starting.