Starter Solenoid on 63 IIa

[SafeAirOne]

What maintenance does one do for a starter? What lube do you use and where and how much should I use?

I'm thinking along the lines of making sure the mechanism that throws the pinion out to engage the flywheel isn't all gunked up, that the rotor bearings have lubricant (if possible on the old starters--not sure what type of bearings they use), that the brushes aren't knackered, etc.

[antichrist]

I'm thinking along the lines of making sure the mechanism that throws the pinion out to engage the flywheel isn't all gunked up, that the rotor bearings have lubricant (if possible on the old starters--not sure what type of bearings they use), that the brushes aren't knackered, etc.

All good things if the starter is out. I was thinking routine maintenance.

[timc930]

So I've cleaned all the connections, disconnected the battery cable, then moved the end at the switch over to the starter side, touched the battery cable to battery (now direct power to starter) and the starter still drags as if tremendous amount of resistance, but the truck will start and run fine, just takes a bit more. I think at this point I am going to pull the starter and just order one of the high torque Nippondenso starters from British Starters. I think I want to slowly upgrade all the electric components, already installed the Pertronix Dist and Coil. I'll post updates after I get the new starter installed.....

tim

[o2batsea]

The brushes on the starter motor are likely worn out. Take it to your local armature shop. They can refresh it for cheap. They'll turn the commutator, install brushes, check the bushings, lube it up and throw a coat of paint on it and probably only charge you $50.

[triumphtr7guy]

good pic Tom, had a Ford Explorer that the positive went under the bell housing and then up again to the starter, failed on me , thought it was the starter, checked some more, opened up the wire, had maybe 2 strands and whole lot of copper oxide.
Also on my S III, the connector to the starter was steel! gave the same type of fail, pulled the wire, soldered in a copper connector and all is right with the world

Bruce 73 Series III
80 TR7 awaiting reinstall of head

[chuckstp]

I'm not sure I would completely discount the switch. That's not to say the issue isn't somewhere else, but the switch is simply closing a set of contacts and is prone to failure. Every time the contacts open or close, you can get arching which will tend to burn the contacts. Eventually, this will increase the resistance of the switch and it will likely have a brownout or intermittent phase before it goes completely bad.

Unfortunately this isn't something you can check with an ohm meter, but you should be able to check for a voltage drop directly across the switch (or any of the wires in the circuit) when the switch is depressed. With my digital meter, I get about .33 volts across the switch when the starter is running. It takes about one second to get a good reading with the settling time of the meter.

[timc930]

So finally got around to installing the starter from British Starters. Super small, light, and spins the little engine over like mad. Hopefully RN will carry this product....It was going to cost me over $100 to have the old one rebuilt, so I just purchased the one from BS.

tim

[antichrist]

In the next few years I'd get a set of the solenoid contacts and stick in your traveling spares kit. They are about the only thing that goes on the Denso starters and they are an easy trail-side replacement.