Bought a 58 Buick last fall and have always had a hard time starting it. Fyi, accelerator start feature had been disconnected in lieu of a starter ****on before I bought it . When I engage the starter it cranks the engine over for couple seconds, sometimes more sometimes less then disengages. The starter is still spinning at this point as long as I have the ****on pushed but is not engaging the flywheel. Replaced the solenoid, same results. Removed starter and inspected/cleaned. Teeth on gear seemed normal (same could be said about the flywheel). While I was in there I replaced the brushes and bushings. Was going to replace the starter drive but could not find the correct unit locally, besides it looked ok. Re***embled and bench tested the unit and it operated as it should. Did not load test it though. Installed in car and it still acts as it did before. Any ideas? Maybe the starter is too weak under load? BTW...it's a 364/Dynaflo. Thanks, Alex
There are a few different starters for the Nailhead.........They may fit the motor but the starter gear will slide past the flywheel gear and disengage. Just something else to check, good luck.
If it cranks then disengages without starting, the overruning clutch in the starter drive is shot. That is the most common problem I have found with G.M. starters. Many starters are replaced when the only problem is the drive.-Jim
The Jalopy Journal
