The starter on my 1950 3100 Chevy keeps spinning (not the bendix) after engine starts and when the engine is shut off. The only way to stop the spinning is to disconnect the battery. The wiring has not been altered and has original starter. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I agree with Anthony, often times low voltage will cause solenoid, or in this case, switch contacts to weld themselves together. If the truck is completely stock, it will have a foot operated starter with a switch on top of the starter motor. It sounds like it’s time for a new switch.
The guys are assuming and rightfully so that you have the stock 216 with stomp pedal starter and the stomp pedal works that switch on the starter. That switch Standard SS-529 or a cross over can be ordered or found at any parts house. When you take the switch off and flip it over you will see that the contacts inside have at times welded themselves together. A worn out switch or a worn or broken return spring can be an issue too. If you don't have a stock 216 with a stomp pedal starter you had best start telling us exactly what you do have as far as engine, bellhousing, starter and flywheel as some combinations don't work together.
On my 3100, I am using the original 6v foot starter, but have converted the truck to 12v. I run a resistor for the coil, and replaced my original starter switch with one like this that has a side post to send a full 12 volts to the coil when starting. I know you said that your's is original, but for others to see.
Here you go....for '55 to '62 Sixes...Happy Easter! Classic Industries: All Years Chevrolet Truck Parts | A510015 | 1955-62 Chevrolet, GMC Truck; Floor Mounted Starter Switch | Classic Industries
I pulled a 12v foot pedal starter off a 56/57 at the scrap yard recently Picked up a 59 261 with one as well. The 6v starter doesn’t really care about the 12v unless ya keep winding it. I un-wound an armature once doing that
I removed the starter switch, the contacts were filthy and burned, I cleaned and smoothed the contacts but that did not help. Going to order a new switch. I am using a 12 volt battery with a 6 volt starter with a resistor to the coil. Thanks again.
The starter cares one hell of a lot about what the tooth count is on the ring gear on the flywheel. Up through 55.1 six volt have 138 tooth flywheels. 55.2 = Task force use 168 tooth.
It's been just over 40 years since we put the 53 with the 56 235 together for my friends and I know we made it 12 volt with an alternator and must have used the 56 flywheel with the 53 bellhousing as we didn't buy a special 12 volt starter. According to http://devestechnet.com/Home/Flywheel You can go to the 12 Volt starter by using the 168 tooth ring gear/flywheel.
I’ve got the FW for the 261. Pulled from a bus I snoozed and loosed on the 235 FW when I grabbed the starter.
Bob, That starter is an inertia drive starter. If it is turning, it is trying to put the drive into the fly wheel. That is how it works. When the starter stops turning and the engine is running, it drives the starter drive gear back home, and at that point the starter motor should be stopped.
Another question: Is there a lever that pushes the starter drive out and then closes the switch, mounted on the starter? if that is the case then it could motor on and not have the drive in the fly wheel. If it has this lever, it will have a heavy spring on it to pull the drive out of the fly wheel and release the switch button should release. It could only motor if there is voltage at the terminal under the switch.
The picture above shows my starter set up, I installed a new starter switch and nothing changed, the starter keeps turning after the engine is shut off, I bypassed the starter switch altogether and wired directly to the battery for ignition and the same thing. I am using the 216 starter and flywheel on a 61 235 engine and have had no problem for years until now.. How is current getting to the starter ? Thanks everybody.
Before the starter became self aware, was there any changes or work done on the truck? No matter how mundane. Including letting someone else drive, touch, or look at the truck? The only way current could power the starter is battery>battery cable>starter switch(closed)>starter. When you removed the battery cable from the starter and it still spins, then if you are using the switch with the resistor bypass what most likely is happening is there is no diode in the wire from the starter switch to the coil. Power is backfeeding down the resistor bypass wire and the starter is powering up and spinning. Since there is no load(engine cranking) then the amp draw is low allowing the starter to spin and not burning up the wire. If there are no wires connected to the starter and it's still spinning then you have a ghost in the machine... CALL THE PRIEST! That or post photos of your setup so we can see what's going on. Including any and all wireing modifications.
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