Starter grind

[Greg F]

Evening guys,

I have an issue when starting.  Sometimes when I push the starter pedal, it does not engage the flywheel and makes a grinding noise.  Other times starts up just fine.  Just had the starter rebuilt and did not fix the problem.  Did the same thing with the 218, now have a 230 installed.  Usually fixes itself it just push car forward or backwards a few inches.(12 volt)

Any ideas?  Pedal not pushing forward enough?  Teeth ratio problem?  

Thanks,

Greg

 

 

[dpollo]

This problem usually is a result of the pinion not being fully engaged when the switch energizes the starter.  I have encountered it only on cars with 12 volt conversions so I suspect that a more sluggish 6 volt system allows the teeth to mesh before the pinion really starts to turn.   A solution is to slightly chamfer each ring gear tooth.   This can be done by removing the clutch cover.  Given the number of teeth, it is not a job I would want to volunteer to do.

Perhaps an adjustment of the starter switch may help.

[KLyons]

I had that exact same problem in my 1940 P-9. Took the starter out and installed a new pinion  drive gear and that fixed it..Might be something to check out as although your starter was  rebuilt ,sometimes they don't always change them during the process. Good luck!

[Greg F]

Do you think adding some thickness to the lever on the starter would engage the pinion before hitting the starting switch?

[The Oil Soup]

I'm not sure about the cars but on the trucks the contact switch on top of the starter is adjustable by screwing it in or out to cause the pinion to engage at the right time. There is a procedure outline in the service manual.

[Young Ed]

did you reuse the same flywheel with the 218 and the 230? 

[Branded]

Sounds to me like you have a tooth missing on the flywheel. If you have the car in gear when  you push the car forwards or backwards it rotates the flywheel position past the missing tooth. 

[greg g]

The good news about the ring gear is it can be removed and flipped over so the unworn part of the cogs are facind the starter.  The bad news is you have to remove the trans, and clutch to access the flywheel.