Technical Flathead help needed

I am trying to start my 59AB on an engine stand. I have it all wired and the starter just spins and will not engage the flywheel. So I took off the starter took it apart, cleaned it with brake cleaner and the gears spins/slides freely on the shaft. The spring is not broken and looks good. I charged the battery (12 volt) to make sure it is strong. Can anyone give me some advice? PLEASE. thanks

 

The starter isn't spinning fast enough. Perhaps your cables are too small, ground not real good.

 

I have it grounded to a exhaust manifold bolt that is clean and I'm using jumper cables. I'm charging my battery right now just to make sure and I'll try it again in a little bit

 

Don't use jumper cables. Had the same issue when tryin to use them on a sbc.
(insert sbc joke here)

 

Yep, using jumper cables is not the ticket. Use real battery cables with end clamps and eyelet ends to bolt to the block.

 

i also know that jumper cables wont work.

 

Thanks guys. I'll give it a shot and keep you posted.

 

You think Monster cable (audio) is big enough? Its bigger than my jumper cables I was using. Seems strange to me that a 6volt batt will get it started but not a 12 volt with cables that may be too small. Anyway, I tried it with the monster cables with ends nutted to the starter and bolted to the block. No dice. So I'll get some real batt cables if you don't have any other ideas.

 

Make sure that where the starter face and bellhousing meet that it is clean and free of paint. The starter grounds to the engine.

 

x2 the jumper cables. My sbc would barely turn over with just once set of '1's. The second pair did the trick.

Speaker cable... never tried it...

 

If you have the started drive with the big spring on the end, you should beable to turn the drive gear out, or away from the spring and back ie should move freely, good booster cables will work hook ground on to starter mounting bolt. Laurie

 

Saxon: The face of the starter is a little gunky. I'll try cleaning that.

Teich: Yes, the gear moves freely on the shaft away for the spring. There should not be any lube on that shaft that the gear threads on, right? I could see it gunking up in the future and sticking.

 

Some times the gear getts stuck on end and can,t move in to flywheel,is this correct flywheel,and is drive slipping on starter shaft.Is this a standard flywheel or c4 kit

 

It is bone stock flywheel. I can spin the gear with a screw driver. The spring is supposed to expand with the spinning of the starter and push the gear down the shaft onto the threads and then engage the flywheel right?

 

It suppose to move to flywheel.If you have never had this setup in use,my guess its the wrong starter,may have wrong count on gears.There are few odd ones out there.

 

spin the engine over and make sure you arent trying to engage in a spot on the flywheel where the teeth have chipped off...have you gone to get the starter tested at the parts store?

 

Also, give the starter a spin out of the engine and see if that gear is moving forward with no load.
(PS--you'll need to put nuts on the through bolts)

 

It's misinformation time!
Jumper cables WILL work, but not the type you typically get for starting a Toyota. I have a pair of grunty cables with nice big meaty clips, and works just fine on my flattie with 12v system. I got them from our kiwi equivalent of Napa.

 

Go here and get enlightened.
There are many combos did yours work in the past or is this new to you?

http://www.flatheadv8.org/bellhousing.pdf

PS good jumper cable set will work in a heartbeat,just like Rockabilly stated. Not some "pos" from wally world.

Tig

 

I took off the starter and moved the gear down the shaft to the starter side instead of the spring side and it spun the engine right away. I just had the gear in the wrong position I guess. I have gas but now I need to work on the fire. Thanks everyone for the help. It's like havin buddies with you right in the garage. I love HAMB.