1952-59 Ford New exhaust

I had my 35 year old exhaust system replaced over the weekend. They ran into a problem when routeing the split exhaust so it took an extra day to get it done. They called this morning and said it was ready but they couldn't get the car started. When they we're driving it in the garage it died and hasn't started since. The 6cyl wouldn't even attempt to start when we pushed it by hand. The starter won't turn at all! I had it towed home and put in my garage and I guess we'll have to get a new starter. I did learn one thing that I had been worried about and that is I only have to remove the fender skirts before it can be towed. I was afraid it was to low. Now the big question is "How does it sound?" Even the guys at the muffler shop want to know.

 

what kinda mufflers do you go with? it ****s it wont start did it die pulling into there shop? or after they went to pull it out of the shop?

 

Before I bought a new starter I'd troubleshoot why it's not attempting to work. Check the battery voltage first and make sure it's up, wires on the starter solenoid, grounds, etc. If you jump the starter with another battery and a set of cables and it turns the engine, the starter is fine. My guess is the problem is upstream of the starter, providing it was working OK before the muffler shop. Perhaps the shop broke or disconnected a lead during the installation.

 

ground wire to engine? did they have to remove it?

 

I'm with streetdreams. Spend a couple minutes trouble-shooting the starting system before shelling out for a new starter. Chances are it's something simple, as he suggests.

 

maybe its just your cars way of saying "not at this shop". or it just grew attached to the old exhaust. seeing as how it quit going into the shop.

 

I agree that you should check everything else before spending money on a rebuilt starter. That said, the starter on my 56 went out with no warning on me. I drove to the store and it wouldn't start when I came out. Tried jumping, shorting across the solenoid, nothing. Had to have the starter rebuilt, $85.

 

Put the car in high gear and push it forward and backward- did the trick for me a coupla weeks ago. Actually was in the shop manual.

 

I agree . Don't just go and spend all that money on a starter . I got the feeling that something else is wrong too . Just doesn't sound right that you drive the car to the shop , then they put exhaust on , then all of a sudden it will do nothing ! Is the battery dead from someone leaving the lights on or radio on ? Maybe they knocked something loose . Even if the starter is bad it should make some kind of noise .
If not remove the starter and have the local shop check it out first before you buy anything ! They aren't that hard to rebuild .

Jim

 

Did you have any luck? My problem was that the starter pin was stuck out- rocking it back and forth did the trick.

 

We were checking the starting system when we discovered the engine was locked up! Panic time set in. Well, I remembered that many years ago I had a 63 Mercury Marauder with a 390 in it and the starter had 1 ear broke off and it wouldn't stay tight. One day I went to start it and the bendix went in crooked and locked up the flywheel. But this time was really strange because the car was running when it locked up. My brother took the starter loose and sure enough the starter was locked againest the flywheel! The engine now turns over! I guess I need a starter and bendix. I know I feel a lot better now.

 

My Ford 8N tractor has a Funk 6-cylinder conversion (Ford industrial flathead 6-cylinder engine) and every so often the starter Bendix will fail to retract and will stay engaged with the motor running. Usually a tap on the starter ****on will free it, but not always. A couple times I've had to stop the motor to allow the Bendix to come free of the flywheel.

I'd get your starter inspected before buying a new one. I'll bet it's just fine. Very likely the Bendix will need replacement, however.

Let us know how it works out.

 

A Ford thing - them starter bendix' locking up. Not a particularly common occurance but it happens. Had a '60 Fairlane years ago do that, if I remember I had to darn-near destroy the starter to get it unstuck. Also had a 9N tractor do same thing but it was easier to unlock.

Bad, bad bendix!

 

carnut.. glad to hear it was a reletively minor problem.

 

I still get to take the car back so they can do the exhaust right. Instead of running the exhaust pipe through the frame like the original, they ran it under the frame because he thought it would hit the steering! I told him it was run through the frame for 68 years and never hit. And they call it a muffler shop!

 

Glad to hear you got your engine running again . Ford bendix gears are not the best ever made for sure . Back in the 1970's I replaced a lot of them at the Ford dealerships .

Jim

 

yeah glad to hear she started!

 

are you using robs mufflers on airline?

 

I'd rather not say what muffler shop i used, at this time. But' my biggest problem right now is I need a new starter and no one has a starter for a 53 Ford 6cyl. The 6cyl has only one ear and uses the 2 long bolts to screw into the bellhousing. I'm going to Part Stop tomorrow and have them send it to a rebuilder for an estimate. This has been one problem after another!

 

Try Starter & Alternator Rebuilders, 1516 12th St., Madison, IL 62060 - 618-452-9128.



It's worth a try...

 

there is also a starter/generator rebuilder down on east chain of rocks, near the luna cafe/bar in pontoon beach. shares same parking lot as the itty bitty restaurant and the post office. from 111 going south, turn right at the flying j truckstop/old micks garage. if you cross the railroad tracks, you have gone too far.

 

somebody else to try, and im not sure if you know him, but his name is ron korte, and he works at helmkamps garage in bethalto. he plays with old cars too, mostly chevy's, but he might know where to point you or even fix. worth a try, and closer than madison and pontoon beach. he lives between prairietown and staunton.

 

IT RUNS!!!! I had to have the starter rebuilt. It is such a relief to be able to move the 53 again. The exhaust sounds good but now I can hear all the other things that need attention. Now I think I'll feel more like working on the old car.

 

Glad to hear you finally got her going!