URGENT! Major problem! Need assistance!

[markedgar5]

Be sure to disconnect your battery prior to removing your starter.
And I'm sure that there is someone locally that could help you out. Don't be afraid to ask a friends dad uncle etc. Some people such as many on this board enjoy working on the trucks.
Get yourself a 67-72 repair manual. Money well invested.
Can't wait to hear what the outcome is. Sent u my phone number on a pm. Feel free to call with any ?s. We were all 16 once so know what position you are in. Good luck

[that_red_c10]

Thanks a ton man! Ill be sure to do so!

[ole dollor]

just take everyone's advise and look under your truck. check the starter for loose bolts ,broken nose cone or bad flywheel . its all an easy fix.....have fun with your truck....

[that_red_c10]

Thank you man! Ill definetly do so when im able!

[67chevy_hotrod]

I remember when i first got ol' Susan.. I was sixteen and had the baddest truck in the school parking lot. Had no idea what i was doing! When i decided to throw her in reverse at 25 mph with my wheels still spinning for all my "buddies" (they seem to disappear when crap hits the fan) i blew up the linkage on my tranny.. glad it was only that. I stayed up all sunday night under that truck in the driveway i needed it for school the next day. I am only 18 now but i have learned in these two years of wrenchin more than i could have ever thought. I would get so angry at the damn thing and then remember why i bought it(and why i use a '74 Zenith Phono everyday) I love Vintage stuff. I would often find myself telling.. myself to calmdown and take a breath. If I truly did appreciate these old chev's i would need to learn a thing or to. Started going to the junkyard to practice on their stuff, started buying books, started practicing on my own truck, and before you knew it two years had gone by. Ive rebuilt 2 Engines, countless brake jobs, countless starters, packed wheel bearings, replaced axle seals, and rebult a rearend. Hell I just did the brakes on my jeep today.(not mentioning the stripped out caliper bolt threads...) I still have tons to learn, and a big part of that is patience. True appreciation of vehicles and working on them requires patience. Dont sell that truck because of a 50 or 60 dollar job, learn from that job. And after you fix it youl think shoot, I did that? What else can I do? That is a very nice truck by the way. You are just starting out and that is perfectly fine we all needed help at one point.. at least you found this site early on! I didnt have this resource until last summer! Good Luck! Remember if you have any questions this is the single most helpful place out there! Have fun with it and dont give up!

[that_red_c10]

Thank you man!!! I appreciate it a ton!!! Im doing my best to keep the truck. My problem is i might not be able to keep it in my driveway to do work. Its currently parked in the street, which I cannot legally do work on it in the street here.

[markedgar5]

One other bit of advice. Since you aren't sure of yourself under the hood yet. Get a membership to AAA Plus - free towing, free gas if you run out, free locksmith services......
I've used their towing services several times. It is invaluable to people who drive older vehicles. I buy them as Xmas gifts to family members.
So far this year I've had a towed 2012 passat, towed 68 Camaro 80 miles one way
Keys locked in an avenger and it's only February. All services were free.
Very reasonable fee for membership.

AAA Classic membership provides the basic membership benefits:
· 24/7 Roadside Assistance benefits

AAA Plus Membership
Upgrade to AAA Plus and receive enhanced towing of up to 100 driving miles, free emergency fuel (AAA Classic members get free delivery but pay for the fuel) if you run out, increased vehicle locksmith coverage, and more.

AAA Premier Membership
In addition to AAA Plus benefits, you can upgrade your membership to AAA Premier which provides one tow up to 200 driving miles per household, a complimentary rental car for one day (in conjunction with an authorized tow in Alabama), and home lockout service. AAA Premier also provides $1,500 Trip Interruption coverage, 24-hour global travel emergency assistance, and personalized concierge services, when traveling more than 100 miles from home, plus much more.

[that_red_c10]

Thanks man! Ill be sure to check that out!

[trac209]

Originally Posted by Possmguts

First off you don't sell em because they are broken.. you fix them. Try to sell something with a 50 dollar part broken and your gonna loose tons of money.

Exaclty,if a little issue like this makes you want to sell you're in the wrong hobbie and driving the wrong vehicle.

[that_red_c10]

I dont want to at all, im worried i will have to since i dont have space or money to fix something liks this, yes a flywheel is cheap, but since i have no space i can legally work on it in, ill have to pay labor, which will cost a lot. Im still trying to find ways to get spacs to do it myself, so its much cheaper.

[markedgar5]

Many towns have rules on working on your truck but I'm sure a quick starter replacement no one would ever know. Most ordinances are to keep the guys from having a vehicle up on jack stands for days on end. Not for someone doing a quick repair of a vehicle. On a typical starter swap it takes longer to drive to the auto parts store than anything else.

It's much easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

Have you checked to see if the alternator is possibly seizing the belt?

[that_red_c10]

The alternator is brand new so it doesnt look like thats the problem, i had my brother try to start it while i watched and it moved maybe an inch or two then jolted back to its spot. If its the starter itself causing the problem then i can fix that easy with no problem from anyone, but if its the flywheel i wont have space to do that.

[markedgar5]

IMO it's a 95% chance it's the starter. 5% flywheel. However the more you try to turn it over the likelihood of damaging the flywheel increases.

[that_red_c10]

Thats good then. Im going to be sure to not start the car anytime untill i know whats wrong.

[FRANKENSTEINC10]

All great advice from guys that have been right where you are. My last engine in my 72 was doing the same thing. It was definitely the starter/flex plate that were causing the issues, and after 6 months and 4 new starters and 2 flex plate changes I pulled the piece of crap 305 and "dropped" in a 454.
Also the only movement your starter should have is from the bendix engaging the flex plate

[Cape Codder]

If you jack up the right front and put a foot long 4x4 under the tire it should be high enough to get under and pull the starter. If it is to wet or to cold you don't want to fix it bad enough. When I was your age I did my first motor swap outside in the winter. I can remember shoveling snow after school to find the parts and bolts.

[that_red_c10]

Ok thanks for that info! I was kind of thinking I may just do a motor swap on the truck. it will definitely cost a lot more for a new motor and transmission, but my motor also has other problems. Has a ton of bad gaskets on the motor, oil leaks from a couple, I also have a broken bolt in the thermostat housing, and leaking antifreeze from somewhere. Might be cracked thermostat which costs almost nothing, but the bolts broken and I cant remove it. Or I may just keep it and see what happens. Apparently my transmission is new but it surely doesn't seem that way. I'm still thinking though. For now I'm keeping the 350. I just have to get it done soon, as I will need it to get back and forth to a job, school, and I just want the ability to drive the truck again. Ill probably end up getting the gaskets changed soon. I have my step brother who recently said he would help, but he's rarely free to do anything. Either way for now I'm keeping the 350, and I'm going to do this starter or flex plate problem. I now believe in myself. I'm getting that starter off no matter if weather permits it or not! I WILL FIX THIS

[that_red_c10]

Might be going outside now to take off the starter

[that_red_c10]

Well, the starter wont be coming out today unfortunately, but it will come out soon!

[67chevy_hotrod]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

If you jack up the right front and put a foot long 4x4 under the tire it should be high enough to get under and pull the starter. If it is to wet or to cold you don't want to fix it bad enough. When I was your age I did my first motor swap outside in the winter. I can remember shoveling snow after school to find the parts and bolts.

oh gosh i know all about that.. i had to do my brakes in the snow. Every time the springs would snap off I would have to search in the snow for them... and your right i wanted and needed to to it so i was mostly un-phased by the elements!

[that_red_c10]

That sucks man, at least ya got it done . I can't get it done today, its too late. Ill let you know when progress starts! Has an ice barrier around it so not much i can do, but i was gonna try haha!

[Cape Codder]

We must have a different meaning of the word urgent.

[that_red_c10]

Haha I thought it was much more serious than it actually was.

[no1udknow]

Or you could roll it until 2 of the wheels are up on the curb if you don't have a jack. And yes, those abatement ordinances usually say you cannot do any repairs that disable the vehicle for 72 hours. if you just climb under it, no one will know

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Okay. I'm signing out of the thread. For now.

Would someone be so kind as to PM me when, at least, the starter is out? So I can happily keep
my earlier promise.

So far, after many years on the Forum, this is likely the longest conversation that's been the
farthest from a wrench that I've ever read.

No big deal. And considering the fresh face, and proper manners obviously owned by the P.O.,
it's still hard to keep coming back to a "Thanks, Man".

Later, Folks.