I just installed a high torqu mini starter on my 1952 Flathead. After some header modifications and persuading, it did just as the guy said "it bolted right on". The first couple of pumps of the key, all I got was a whizzing sound, next key turn, she fired right up. I unbolted the inspection plate, and the teeth looked pretty good, but now Im not sure. This seems to happen about every 2-3 of 5 starts. When she does engage, she sounds great. Anyone experience this?
Sounds like either the solenoid's sticking, the linkage is sticking or the solenoid has a bad electrical connection...
*edit Now that I went out to the garage, it seems like more of a grinding sound........ Maybe some shimming is in order? ack!
When I put the big block in my 57 I went through 6 new starters before I got one that didn,t grind when cranking over. I tried shimming the damn things but that didn,t work at all. Don,t know why but I sure got good at changing it!
Take the starter back off and turn the flywheel all the way around. It sounds like you have some teeth messed up on the flywheel . A motor stops in one of three places on the flywheel .
I think you answered your own question. Sounds like you need a shim or two. In my experience, if it worked fine before the new starter, that whizzing sound is the starter motor spinning but not cranking the engine because the snout is just bumping into the edge of the flywheel insteead of engaging. Like Dirty2 says, check out your teeth first too, though.
I removed the inspection plate, and had the wife tap the key a few times. The snout is bumping into the plate, and bouncing back without engaging. When it does engage, it stays with the flywheel until I either tap it a couple of times, or until the starter is engaged again. The grease marks on the snout of my starter show that when engaged, about 3/16" is actually catching and turning it over. Does this make sense? Do the amount of teeth in a 52 Flathead differ whether its auto or manual? Thanks guys- again.
Yes, it has one on the inside and two on the outside. They are so small, I barely noticed they were there.
The old starter seemed to work fine, but was really loud as I switched over to 12v. I switched so I could be on 12v with a 12v piece. I called the guy that sold me the starter, and he was interested in what was going on. We chatted for a while, and after telling him just what was going on, he said to send him the nose piece, and he would make some changes, and send her back to me asap. Overall good experience, lets see what happens once I get it back. Once again- Bolt on and go.... Yeah RIGHT!
HMMM, Thats why i use Stock Original stuff.. I have a 6V starter on my Hemi with NO problems, Guys with VWs have been running 6V starters on 12V systems for Many years. Hope the guys fix's you up .... I dont like those Mini starters, Look like a Toyota starter on an Early engine... Just Wrong. You may find that the Mini starter will sound funny also
Yea, a 6V starter will live on 12V, Just makes sure everything else is up to snuff. They don't like staying on the "juice" for extended cranking.
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