TO30 Suddenly No Start

[KJB34269]

It never seems to take me long to run into a new problem with my 1951 TO30. It has been starting and running fine up until yesterday. It is a 12 volt conversion and does have the shift lever starter. When I tried to start it I got a very quick noise and possibly a slight revolution but I’m not sure about that. After that I get nothing. I can turn the motor by hand once I removed the spark plugs. I tried putting battery power directly to the starter and I got nothing, no spark and no sound. I’m thinking my starter might have just died but I also read that the drive gear could be jammed against the flywheel. I would like to do the easy checks first of course. I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

[Jim.ME]

If you got no spark when you went direct to the stud on the starter, that doesn't sound good for the starter. But first loosen the starter mounting bolts and wiggle it around. If it hung it should come free when you do that. That will only cost you a few minutes of time.

Check both ends of the ground cable for being clean and tight.

 

[KJB34269]

Thanks Jim. I'll give that a try. If it is the starter I imagine those can be rebuilt or am I wrong about that? I often wondered if the 6 volt starter is fine after the conversion to 12 volt.

 

[Jim.ME]

Thanks Jim. I'll give that a try. If it is the starter I imagine those can be rebuilt or am I wrong about that? I often wondered if the 6 volt starter is fine after the conversion to 12 volt.

If there is a shop near you it can be rebuilt. You might get away with shining the armature up and putting brushes and springs in, but that is a maybe. A shop could rebuild it to be 12 volts.

6 volt starters often last for years on 12 volts. avoid long cranking times and if the engine starts to catch and the starter kicks out give the starter time to stop before hitting the switch again.

 

[KJB34269]

I just did the loosen the starter thing. I didn't hear anything as I wiggled it. When I tried to start it I heard a very brief clunk. Then after that the starter made no noise at all when trying it again. I'll research local shops.

We leave for Florida in a week and I would like to run it before we leave so I can add Sea Foam like I normally do in my winter storage vehicles. I'm thinking it should start by pulling it with my Jeep. What gear is best to use for pull starting?

 

[Jim.ME]

I just did the loosen the starter thing. I didn't hear anything as I wiggled it. When I tried to start it I heard a very brief clunk. Then after that the starter made no noise at all when trying it again. I'll research local shops.

We leave for Florida in a week and I would like to run it before we leave so I can add Sea Foam like I normally do in my winter storage vehicles. I'm thinking it should start by pulling it with my Jeep. What gear is best to use for pull starting?

The highest gear (4th) will turn easiest, the next highest (3rd) will usually work as well without much trouble.

 

[KJB34269]

Thanks again Jim.