VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 54 starter question

My 54 has been kind of sluggish starting for a while now. It turns fast and then slow, sometimes but usually starts after a few turns. Just a while ago it was really slow; it almost didn’t start at all. Finally it sped up a bit and started. Is this the way these old starters crap out? I’m used to one just clicking and was wondering how to correct the issue. Can it be rebuilt? I do have another starter but it came of my 54 parts car that was a Powerglide. Will a Powerglide starter fit on my standard?

First I would check the cables and connections.Often the cables break down inside.Clean the battery posts and area where cable grounds to engine.
The starter can be rebuilt.Brushes could be wearing down or????
The Power Glide starter will fit the stick engine.The 1954 P.G. used a stronger starter (if its an original) but seeing its also 50 years old probably should be rebuilt also for best results.

This post sounds just like my problem with the 52, I thought from the size of the positive cable that I had a true 6V cable to the starter. Battery acid and corrosion finally caught up with me and when I removed the cable and cut into the insulation (snooping) I found that the bulk of the size of the cable was plastic and that I did not have a true 6V, went to the local battery, automotive repair shop and had a 01 cable built, no more problems. As chev gene says pay close attention to all contacts particularly the ground where it attaches to the block.

I'll look into that. I think she's prety clean. I had the cables off the other day to charge up the battery. I'll look at the cable size to assure it's not the issue. I'll post my findings. Thanks!

The '54 PG starter is a heavy duty version #1108035. If his hasn't been tampered with, it's what you need. As I remember, it has 4 field coils rather than 2 and maybe it was used on the Corvette 235s. With your present starter, try to start the engine and if it's difficult, feel the cables along their path. If you feel hot spots, that indicates internal resistance and that cable needs replacing..Especially on old cables that appear good..

You guys were spot on. Bad cable. She starts up just fine now. Thanks for all the help!!!!

PDXJoe is right on about the 54 starter which also was on the 53 powerglide engines, I don't know if all 53 Pg engine had them. a good starter mechanic like some in our club can modify the stick shift starters to 1954 status.
As for cables. If you have any starter problems CHANGE them now the cost is not that much. I have done this and always have great results. Don't go to the chain auto parts store. 12 volt cables won't hack it. Go to a farm supply or tractor dealer get cables no smaller than (0)one ough. I like (00) double ought and heavy duty terminals. If you can't do that go to a starter alternator shop and have some made up.

Sorry, I got in on the tail end of this thread...

From my info only the '54 PG came with the 4 field starter but in the later years its listed as the replacement for all 6 volt PG engines and could be a help on any 1949-54 car engine.

Gene You are probably right again. My info came from a starter I pulled off of a 53 powerglide engine, which had been overhauled around 1965 and stored. It could have been a replacement.