37 Plymouth Pickup Starter Problem

[MoparBob]

Recently my 1937 Plymouth pickup has developed a starter problem.  When I push the foot pedal, it does not go far enough to engage the flywheel or hit the starter button.  The linkage doesn't seem to be bent or jammed.  I thought maybe the starter shaft gear was just not meshing with the flywheel.  I turned the flywheel by hand to get it in a different position and spun the starter by hand to get that gear in a different position, but it still doesn't work.  I dropped the flywheel cover and can see the starter gear up in there, but since I'm working alone, I can't be under the truck and push the starter at the same time. Anyone have any ideas?  Thanks

[Jerry Roberts]

Some of the old starters had an adjustable switch on top . Can you lever the starter switch with something so that it works ? Just guessing here . Also the switches that I have seen were easily removed from the starter for inspection and cleaning . 

[MoparBob]

Thanks, but there is no problem with the switch itself.  If I push it down by hand the ole starter spins great.  The problem is the lever is not going far enough to contact it.  It really seems as though the the gear on the shaft from the starter that is supposed to mesh with the flywheel is bumping into the flywheel face rather than meshing with it and so the starter lever can't go its full travel.  At least something is impeding the movement of the lever.  I'd like to disconnect the starter floor pedal shaft from the starter lever, but it's held together by a pin and I'm not sure how to get it out.

[Los_Control]

Just now, MoparBob said:

If I push it down by hand the ole starter spins great.  The problem is the lever is not going far enough to contact it. 

Ouch   ☹️

Sounds like it is time to remove the starter and give it some love.

 

Seems like it was a working starter for some time, now the bendix or gear is just not coming out as far as it should.

Be worth a try to take it apart & give it a good inspection & cleaning .... maybe some new brushes ..... or possibly take it to a starter repair shop & let them inspect it.

 

Might be easy to replace the brushes & a good cleaning & work as good as new.

Or it can turn into a wallet flush ...... I'm hoping for the best.

[Dave72dt]

I suspect a broken drive.  Pull the starter and do a bench test and see if the drive fully extends.  If it's spinning the starter when in the truck, the brushes are at least still functional.

[9 foot box]

   I don’t have any books that refer to a 37 Plymouth truck starter. The pictures are for a 41-47 Dodge truck. I have seen the shoes on the shift yoke assembly wear down (13). I was able to turn them over for a fresh contact on the shift collar(25). You will find it easier to pull the starter than trying to assess why it started being a problem. The starters that I have seen have a number on the tag that begins with MAW or MAX. What does your tag say? Rick D.

[MoparBob]

Rick, Thank very much for the info.  I think you are on the right track, as I'm pretty sure this is a mechanical not electrical problem.  My starter is an MAW-4013.  probably the original starter.  Not many '37 Plymouth pickups around, so not many shop manuals.  I've been looking for one for at least two years.  Anyway, turns out the '37 Dodge pickup uses the same starter (probably other similarities as well) so I've order a '37 Dodge pickup shop manual.

 

Meanwhile, pulling the starter is probably old hat to most of you guys, but it's a big deal for me.  First step is to detach the foot peddle shaft from the starter motor lever.  Looks like a riveted connection.  Not sure the best way to do that and really not sure how to replace.

[MoparBob]

Well, it's a bit embarrassing, but the problem is solved.  No problem with the starter,  The return spring under the foot pedal was jamming and preventing the starter rod from going through it's full travel.