Post by lloydgm on Nov 10, 2023 1:27:41 GMT
I have had a 1968 P5B coupe for ~50 years and for the first time the starter pinion has locked on the ring gear.
Rotating the crankshaft via a socket on the pulley bolt I heard a click, presumably the pinion disengaging.
However, the pinion re-locked on the second attempt to start and the exercise of rotating the crank was repeated.
On a third attempt to start the pinion locked, but after freeing the pinion by rotating the crank the engine started continues to restart without locking.
In the locked position the voltage measured on a battery with relatively little use, fell from almost 13 volt to 6, and 4.8 at the starter terminal.
Hence, the voltage drop of 1.2 volt across the number of conductors and connections between battery and starter terminal does not appear excessive.
The question is do i have a battery problem or an issue with the engagement mechanism of a 55 year old starter.
I would have done a normal electrical service on the starter on the two occasions I rebuilt the engine (the second to drop the compression from10.1 to 8.4 because of the fuel supply in Australia at to time), but only a visual inspection of the engagement mechanism.
Returning to the battery question. I did try a much older battery, which has no trouble starting a newly rebuilt 1952 silver dawn engine. and got the same voltage readings. Both batteries spend their lives on smart chargers, but i guess to eliminate the battery I should arrange a standard high discharge test.
If this proves being a starter issue the simplest and cheapest could be to purchase a new Lucas M45 starter or suitable equivalent.
There are many starters on sale here even at reduced prices but how to identify suitable one which will slot in.
I would welcome comment.
Lloyd
Feb. 24. Starter has now been replaced with a geared version from Wadhams. Necessary to lift motor to access top securing bolt.
Lloyd
Rotating the crankshaft via a socket on the pulley bolt I heard a click, presumably the pinion disengaging.
However, the pinion re-locked on the second attempt to start and the exercise of rotating the crank was repeated.
On a third attempt to start the pinion locked, but after freeing the pinion by rotating the crank the engine started continues to restart without locking.
In the locked position the voltage measured on a battery with relatively little use, fell from almost 13 volt to 6, and 4.8 at the starter terminal.
Hence, the voltage drop of 1.2 volt across the number of conductors and connections between battery and starter terminal does not appear excessive.
The question is do i have a battery problem or an issue with the engagement mechanism of a 55 year old starter.
I would have done a normal electrical service on the starter on the two occasions I rebuilt the engine (the second to drop the compression from10.1 to 8.4 because of the fuel supply in Australia at to time), but only a visual inspection of the engagement mechanism.
Returning to the battery question. I did try a much older battery, which has no trouble starting a newly rebuilt 1952 silver dawn engine. and got the same voltage readings. Both batteries spend their lives on smart chargers, but i guess to eliminate the battery I should arrange a standard high discharge test.
If this proves being a starter issue the simplest and cheapest could be to purchase a new Lucas M45 starter or suitable equivalent.
There are many starters on sale here even at reduced prices but how to identify suitable one which will slot in.
I would welcome comment.
Lloyd
Feb. 24. Starter has now been replaced with a geared version from Wadhams. Necessary to lift motor to access top securing bolt.
Lloyd
