'66 ski twin starter motor not fully engaged

[Steve Mahler]

I have an odd problem on a newly acquired engine - jumping straight to the starter, the starter gear lifts up but doesnt quite engage the flywheel, instead it screeches and actually wears part of the flywheel teeth off!

my limited experience is that these starter motors either work, or they dont...not this....


ideas? experience?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: '66 ski twin starter motor not fully engaged

90% of starter problems are bad connections. remove and clean both ends of the battery cables, so that they are shiney, also the cable from the solenoid to starter. check for nicks in the cables. and make sure the connectors are on the wire good. the cable tend to corrode from the inside out, if nicked, corroded wires, and connections, heat up and cause resistance to the follow of electricity, thus the starter doesn't get enough. you can also take jumper cable pos battery post to large post on starter. with a good connection, the engine should spin. then if the starter is good clean everything and retest. then trouble shoot solenoid. starters can be rebuit at a starter/alternator shop, much cheaper than a new one.

also have the battery load tested at the auto parts store, free, i've had new batteries go bad

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: '66 ski twin starter motor not fully engaged

I am jumping straight to the starter post. is there a way to clean/service the starter to make fully lift, or is something else awry?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: '66 ski twin starter motor not fully engaged

one or 2 drops of a thin oil, like 3n1 oil. sewing machine oil.

Steve you have to have a very good connection when jumping. it is better to use the motors battery cables, and jump the solenoid.