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Old 10-16-2020, 08:20 PM   #1
studeclunker
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dead starter '58 1-1/2 ton six

Truck: 1958 1-1/2 ton
six-cylinder motor
manual transmission
mechanical floor start button
Bare bones truck.

Okay, I was running the truck up and down the driveway to exercise the old man and he quit. Thought it might be out of gas and put some in. Engaged starter and he wouldn't start. Kept kicking over however wouldn't run. Figured it was having trouble getting gas from the tank.
Yeah, should have used starter fluid, I suppose.
Anyway, the starter suddenly stopped turning the engine and now I get nothing when depressing the switch. I opened the hood and tried working the lever directly on the starter and nothing. No click, no buzz, no nothing. I have power to the terminal on the switch. Not sure how to directly jumper this one so no info on that.
Lights work.
signals work.
Horn is disconnected (finger works well).

The starter looks like this (except there is a thin wire terminal on the side facing the camera):


Not being familiar with this type, where is the solenoid?? IS there a Solenoid?

Any ideas?
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Old 10-17-2020, 03:16 AM   #2
vince1
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Re: dead starter '58 1-1/2 ton six

I think the older type starters used a Bendix spring. The torque of the starter motor engaging would send the drive down spiral cut grooves to engage the ring gear. When the starter motor disengaged the drive would return. Could be wrong on yours though. If I ever saw one of those Delco starters out it would have been more than fifty years ago.

In any case yours will have to come out for repair because the power is not getting in there to crank the armature. It could be that the brushes are worn out or a solder joint let go in the commutator.

Last edited by vince1; 10-17-2020 at 03:37 AM.
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Old 10-17-2020, 08:57 AM   #3
AussieinNC
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Re: dead starter '58 1-1/2 ton six

Sounds like the starter switch on the starter has died....(how dare it fail after only 62 years of work!)

Here is a link to what I believe will fix your problem...Its really hard to bypass these as the connection is made internal to the switch cover...

When you replace it, make sure the intenral contact on the starter is very clean...

https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail...er_Switch.html

Hope this helps....

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Old 10-17-2020, 10:40 AM   #4
Dead Parrot
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Re: dead starter '58 1-1/2 ton six

If the brushes are worn, sometimes you can get a few more starts by thumping the end with rubber mallet a couple of times. The impacts can settle worn brushes just enough so they make contact again. Can also serve as a quick test of switch vs brushes as the cause of the problem. If the mallet makes the starter work, do plan on replacing brushes soon.

Might also loosen and retighten the battery cable connection on the starter in case corrosion is the issue.
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Old 10-17-2020, 01:18 PM   #5
studeclunker
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Re: dead starter '58 1-1/2 ton six

Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieinNC View Post
Sounds like the starter switch on the starter has died....(how dare it fail after only 62 years of work!)


Yeah, what kind of quality is that???

My first action was to clean the contact surfaces. Some of them had gotten a bit fuzzy. Funny how quickly that happens...

I'll try giving her a few thumps today and see if that works. If not, will pull the starter and look to see just what has happened. Thankfully, there's plenty of room to work under and in there.

EDIT: thanks for the suggestions. I do appreciate the help.

Last edited by studeclunker; 10-17-2020 at 01:27 PM.
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Old 10-18-2020, 08:48 PM   #6
studeclunker
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Re: dead starter '58 1-1/2 ton six

Okay, in case anyone is interested, here's an update:

Pulled starter and removed the switch. Seems the contact point is very worn on the starter body. The switch still operates, however it looks like the switch wasn't being depressed quite enough. It's all back together and working at this point.

Now all I have to do is figure out why the truck refuses to start.
So... is it spark, air, or fuel?
At least this one is nicer to work on.
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Old 10-18-2020, 09:24 PM   #7
franken
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Re: dead starter '58 1-1/2 ton six

You almost certainly have air. Try shooting some B12 down the carb and cranking it.
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