Basic? Starter Q's

[BaldEagle]

Hey everyone:
   I'm having starting issues on my '84 Eagle, and don't want to clutter up my project thread with basic repairs anymore than I already have. Also, didn't know what category starters fall under............tranny's maybe? Anyway, the symptoms are clicking from the solenoid, and no crank. After replacing the solenoid, and making a ground wire to rule out the NSS, I pulled the starter. I found two small bits of metal inside, that I believe are just part of the starter case opening, near the gear drive. I think that can just be smoothed up with a dremel. From what I could see, the gear drive nor the flywheel have any missing teeth or damage. I tried to "bench test" it with jumper cables, but must have done it wrong. I picked up a used starter from a '84 Bronco with an I6, which I thought I saw somewhere in searching would work, but it's a different size. I tested it with the jumpers in the same way, to no avail, but it did work when it was bench tested at Napa. Maybe what I saw was that the brushes are the same for both starters? I'll post pics tomorrow, if needed. Thanks for any help!

[doc65]

You should be able to get the right starter numerous places, but if not let me know, I got an extra when I picked up the SX4, I must have brought back an extra half car... It might cost more than it's worth for shipping though.

Doc

[IowaEagle]

AMC Motorcraft starters are still readily available.

[carnuck]

The Ford starter isn't the same as the AMC one although they look alike. The AMC drive gear is longer and so is the nose. Bolt pattern and offset are different too.

[BaldEagle]

Got a reman to put in tomorrow. The old one had a couple of broken bits of metal that looked just like a stop ring for the drive. Clean flywheel and teeth.....................will probably have it running soon!

[IowaEagle]

Good to hear the ring gear was OK

[BaldEagle]

Alright then............I'm not sure what the problem is. 
I replaced the solenoid and starter, bypassed the NSS ground to solenoid, and cleaned/tightened the ground to block. Even turned over the engine manually from the crankshaft pulley with just a combo wrench. It seemed to turn over pretty easily, and I had hoped that if the ring gear did have missing teeth that I just couldn't see, manually turning over the engine may let the teeth mesh up again. Nope..............all I'm getting is clicking from the solenoid. Am I missing something basic?

[IowaEagle]

How is the battery and it's connections?  I forget, was the new starter bench tested before you got it?

[BaldEagle]

How is the battery and it's connections?  I forget, was the new starter bench tested before you got it?

The battery was charged up to 13V+, both terminals clean, ground to block cleaned/tightened, positive cable too since I replaced the solenoid. My wife picked up the starter, and didn't bench test it....................I considered that being the problem too, as I've had several probs with reman starters in the past. The power cable to the starter was only wiped off, and I haven't found or cleaned the block to body ground yet.

[BaldEagle]

Maybe not so basic starter Q's now.

New solenoid: has had frequent changes between the NSS and ground to battery, reads 12.5V, and bypass does nothing.

Reman starter: Should do the trick, but never bench tested. I'd rather NOT have to pull it again, but it's looking like I might have to.

Battery: Holding at 13V, whistle-clean terminals, and jumped by a huge brand new Interstate.

Flywheel: Looked fine when I peeked in there real quick. Also easily turned over with just a wrench on the crankshaft.

Grounds: they're all clean, that I know of. Neg cable to block, and the strap just below it to engine mount. Both of these were only finger tight, and grease galore.  plastic valve cover

So, I'm not sure where to go from here. Test the starter, look for more grounds, starter shims, distributor possibly?

[IowaEagle]

I still think it might be a bad starter.  Probably not an issue, but how is the ground from the fire wall to the engine?

[BaldEagle]

I haven't seen that ground yet, maybe I'll pull off the air cover to see better. I'll pull the starter and have my wife bench test it soon too. Back to work tomorrow, so probably another week at least..............

[BaldEagle]

 Well, I still haven't found "THE FAMOUS FIREWALL GROUND"!
   I've searched quite a bit, and the only info that I could find is that it's near the brake booster, but couldn't find it even with the air filter housing off. Would it be a strap or wire, what's the engine mounting point, and is it accessible from top or bottom?
   I'd very much appreciate any insight from you guys. 

[standup650]

take your jumper cables and connect them to a good battery then clamp - to block and touch + to starter + terminal  this will tell you if the starters any good.

[BaldEagle]

take your jumper cables and connect them to a good battery then clamp - to block and touch + to starter + terminal  this will tell you if the starters any good.

Will do........I had tried that with the old starter, but to no avail. Same test should tell me if it is still a bad ground, too. I'll report back.