Technical Starter motor or relay?

We've got a '65 Valiant with the 273 and I just replaced the starter relay after it failed, but now the starter is not engaging and its just spinning freely or briefly engaging and then spinning freely.

Is there any chance that the relay I installed is defective? Could a defective relay cause this problem or is it something wrong with the solenoid/clutch and how could I check.. If it is the starter is there a way I can take it out of the car without using a hoist as it seems to be difficult to get out. (Can't really afford to take it to a shop right now.)

Any help would be appreciated!

 

What was the starter doing before you installed the new relay?

 

The starter was functioning properly - no issues until the relay went.

 

If its engaging then spinning freely, or disengaging after it starts to crank then you might have a bad starter drive(clutches slipping).

 

they're fun to remove, those A body starters. one trick is to use a long long extension to get the upper mounting nut off of it. I agree with the idea of it being the starter drive being worn out, letting the motor spin without engaging the ring gear.

 

I was afraid of that...so there is enough room to get the starter out without doing anything else? It just looks like there is a lot in the way.

 

It's been a long time since I've done one...it's possible you might need to disconnect steering linkage, but I don't think so. Unless it has headers on it.

 

No, no headers. Is it a fairly easy job to get the steering linkage off?

Also I was wondering if it would be worth it to put in a smaller starter from a mid 90's mopar - would it be a bolt on or would I have to do some fettling to get it in?

 

The mid 90's Nippon Denso starter should bolt in and work fine.