Technical Starter or Solenoid?

My 1970 Model A has a 1970 350 in it, I bought it last fall. I just started driving it around and working out the bugs. I have put about 10 miles on it. It was mostly build 30 years ago. I have had no problems with it until this morning.

Cold start and it started clicking. I assumed I had a battery draw somewhere so I put the booster pack on it. Same problem. I was finally able to start it after many attempts with clicking and some grinding. This evening, I had my son try to start it while I was going to get some meter readings at the solenoid. When he tried to start it, there was really loud ticking, grinding and I saw the starter do what appeared to be jumping or moving up and down. I stopped there.

Do I start with a new starter or solenoid?

Thanks

 

start with tightening the starter mounting bolts!

 

Do what Squirrel said and if that doesn't help pick up an inductive ammeter from your local NAPA...
https://www.ebay.com/p/1352948484?i...MI96f56_nr6QIVFR-tBh2XPQIXEAQYESABEgJ8lPD_BwE
… and see what the current draw is when the starter is engaged. Anything much over 250 amps means a bad starter.

 

Tightening the bolts will improve the ground it needs as well. If the starter has been moving around for a while it likely chewed up the ring gear.

 

make sure it has the correct mounting bolts, too...some guys use normal bolts, instead of the special ones with the knurled shank

 

Also, there is normally a brace from the starter to the block on the opposite end from the drive that helps stabilize the starter.

 

Check all battery cable connections.

 

They pretty well said it all.
Make sure that you have the correct starter bolts and not regular bolts.
Tighten the bolts up correctly.
Get and put the brace from the end of the starter to the block on.
Then check all of your battery cable connections. Especially where the ground cable connects to the block. I've gone and checked a number of "I just got it together with the fresh engine and it won't crank" rigs that had so damned much paint under where the ground strap connected to the engine it wouldn't ground. Made a grown man cry when I scraped away enough paint on one to get it to ground right. I think he said he had six coats of paint on the engine.

 

What does a 1970 Model A look like?

 

Darn near a match to a '88 Edsel.

 

Solenoid, 100 %! If you're at all mechanical, take the starter motor off the engine, disassemble the solenoid by removing the balkite cap, and flip the battery contact, copper "bolts" around 180 degrees. You'll see where the copper washer arcs against them, and the arcing eats away at the posts; turning the posts around 180 degrees gives you another bite at the apple, so-to-speak.. Or, you can just replace the entire solenoid. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Thanks for the replys. I did not have the box checked that said to receive notifications of comments. I just looked and see them all. Thanks.

I woke early this am and started going through each wire on the car and cleaning them. I had installed all new wires when i got the car. I think I found that the battery kill switch may be defective. I have by passed that switch for and think i may be good to go. I will watch it and see.

I did read on line last night an article about the starter brace. I see a comment was also made in this forum regarding a brace. I have ordered one.

Thanks for all the help.

 

What Butch said. Bolts might be loose, but I'll put my money on the contact ring.