Flathead not starting. WHY?

I got a little boozed up last night over at a buddies house and when I got ready to leave, I get in the car, turn the key, push the starter ****on and nothing. Actually it clicks one time and one time it made a winding noise but thats it. Battery is good. Electric fuel pump is working. The engine is a '49 Merc flathead. I've never owned or worked on a flathead before. I didn't even attempt to diagnose the problem last night as I was too drunk. I'm going over after work tonight to see what the problem is. Just wanted some opinions before I take a look. Thanks

 

let me know before you drive next time, so
I can park it and wait for you. Drunk driving is not cool.
That was an angel on your shoulder.
Its a bad ground, corroded cable or both.

 

I was only driving it about 10 feet away so my DD could get me home. I was parked in front of him. Hahaha.

I was thinking the same thing with the ground or cable but like I said, I'm no flathead expert so I didn't know what was going on. Thanks 53.

 

Always use at least one extra ground cable or strap between engine and ch***is and body. Make sure the contact points are free of paint, use a good star washer and ground problems will be a thing of the past (dim lights, poor or slow starts, etc.).

Ohyeah, thank you for never ever driving drunk, stoned, or otherwise impaired (***** may count in some cases).

 

Well I'm in the Marine Corps so drunk, stoned, or otherwise impaired driving is totally out of the question for me.

Two grounds is a good idea though. Thanks

 

AND thank you for your service to your country and all of us!
SALUTE!

 

I`ll bet you a case of beer ! it`s the bendix spring that broke ,
pull the starter before you waste any time on anything else !
it`s happened to me twice playing with flatheads over the years.
every thing just binds up and will not do anything.
oh yea , pull it out just a little bit put a 5/16 nut on the long starter bolt to hold it all together it`s a real time saver.
before you take it all the way out it`s a ***** getting the brushes back together if you let it slip apart. and thank`s for serving.

 

I appreciate the help and support fellas. I'm off to get my hands dirty on it.

 

ok, so I finally got enough time to take a look at it and I double checked all of the ground wires; All good. Checked for corroded wires; all clean. Tried to start it again and noticed that the ground wire from the battery and the wire running to the starter are hot as ****. Is my starter done?

 

I'd say your starter is toast and the brushes have worn down to the point they are grounding out. It's time to pull the starter and replace it.

 

it`s still the bendix spring !

 

pull the starter I bet ya a dollar it's jammed

 

if by chance it is jammed you could put it in gear and rock it that will usually pop it free

 

Very well, I was hoping I wouldn't have to take this sum***** apart. Just curious, where in the hell am I going to find another bendix spring for a '49 Merc flathead? Like I said before, I'm no whiz with these things.

 

I doubt its the spring.
Usually when they get stuck the teeth have worn down.
It'll probably not come out easily.
TP

 

I would ask on the hamb if anyone had one around you first !
I think they are the same for all the big flatheads
mac`s, obsolete ford part`s, hell napa . should be able to get you one
1939 thrue 1953 . should work .
order 2 of them it`s a good part to carry with you.

 

I work at a local parts store and the springs are still available. The springs are not used on just fords. I broke one on my car, I had a few spares. I heard that the springs break easier if the car is converted to 12 volt.

 

Casey, you have been a huge help. Thanks a lot man.

Everyone else as well. I appreciate it.

 

spring part# a11375 .
http://www.macsautoparts.com/