VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum need help 32 Chev

Hello-

I'm new to the forum and thankful to have found this resource. I have a 32 Chev, four door, wonderful car. Last summer it overheated and had a few problems. I got it running well, all fluids done, ready to go on the Sunday drive to church again. Then, the starter would not engage. I had plenty of battery, but the starter would not spin the flywheel. I took the starter off, had it tested, and was told it was in perfect nick. Today, I took it off again, put it back, checked all my battery leads, checked the ground cables and everything seemed fine. When I push the starter, I hear a thump- of it engaging but not turning. I do not hear the high pitch "wheeze' of the starter moving. I rechecked the grounds, and found no rust. All the leads are new. If someone could point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.

I do not have a crank to turn the motor over through the front. Any suggestions how to turn it without the manual crank arm?
Is there a ground I don't see?

Thank you so much for any advice.

All Best,

Jason Atkinson
jaa@jasonaatkinson.com

You can try turning the engine with. The fan blade but you will also have to push on the belt to tighten it as you turn the fan blade. You could also but the trans in high gear and rock the car back and forth to see if the engine turns.

JAA, welcome to the VCCA's website!

When you replaced the battery cables, did you get the extra thick ones that are needed for a 6v system? The battery cable size should be 01 or 00. The cables sold in car parts stores (for 12v systems) are too thin to carry the necessary amperage for your 6v starter.

Cheers, Dean

There is a good chance that your bendix has been jamming on the flywheel ring gear, if you put the car in top gear and rock it back and forth with the park brake off it may free the bendix. If that works you will need to replace the ring gear.

Thank you all for your reply. Got the right battery cables. I tried rocking it in 3rd, and still no engagement with the starter. I'm told the ground could be an issue, but for the life of me I can't find where the ground is not doing its job.

She is a beautiful car, if I can learn how to post a picture I certainly will. I call it my church car because if I turn right from my farm I'm at church in nine miles. If I turn left I'm at Del Rio Vineyards. Both are great destinations, however not on the same day.

Jason welcome to Chatter.
By what I read the car ran last year until it overheated but hasnt run since. My suggestion is to check the engine does actually still turn over as I suspect that when it overheated allowed coolant onto at least 1 piston and that has rusted in place.
Tony

I agree with Tonys thoughts. You might try pulling the plugs to check for water lock. Try cranking with the plugs out and/or remove the lower cover on the bell housing and pry over by levering on the ring gear.

Hello Jason,

Your location moniker says Oregon. Where are you located in Oregon? If you are close enough maybe one of us locals can come by and give a tip. If you don't want that information floating around send a pm.

Art

Thank you Art. I really appreciate so much help. I'm in Southern Oregon and because of this forum have met Skip here locally. I'm hoping to vector into this thing. I do think its the bendix. I'm moving her out of storage this afternoon into a place where I can work on it and move around better, plus have it out for my son's big graduation party this weekend.

Oh that's great you were able to connect with someone who can help give some guidance.

Art

If you have met up with Skip aka Junk yard dog you will get the correct information.
Tony

Make sure and go through their treasure trove of a museum, it is amazing. Includes an original full size Fisher Body coach.