Post to the EFV-8 Forum
Post Classified Ads
Shop the Online Store

User Login

Not Registered Yet? Click Here to Sign Up!

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

FORUM RULES: Users agree to these Rules when using Forum.

The site administrator reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the user agreement without prior notice to the user. It is the responsibility of the user to regularly review the terms of this agreement.

The user agrees to the following terms:

All information that you provide to us for your membership is correct.
You will not use your membership to spam, harrass, or exploit other members in any way.
Vulgar, Abusive, Racist and Sexist Language will not be tolerated.
Commercial-type sales postings will not be allowed.
No mass posting or flooding of the boards is allowed.
No Advertising of parts or cars; no Ebay or business/commercial ads (please use the "Classified" for ads Wanted or For Sale).
VIEWING MULTIPLE TOPICS ON SCREEN: You can choose to see more than 10 Topics at a time ... Log In and choose "Preferences" from the top bar on the Forum page. Scroll down and Change the "Default Topics Returned" parameter to 25 or 50, and save the changes. Since this setting is stored in your browser 'cookies' (if enabled), it seems to use that stored value even if you are not logged in. So, if you use a PC that you haven't logged into the forum from, the setting still seem to remain at the default.
EXTERNAL PHOTO LINKS ON FORUM: You can still use external photo links in your posts on the new forum. They follow the rules of any link in that they have to have the URL link qualified down to the full image file name (example: .jpg). The links will open in a new browser window, the same as an uploaded image attached to a post. Since an image attachment to any post does not display inline with the post, the results are the same. You can use multiple external links within a post. This link is from photos on a site from Don Clink's 'Deuce@75' albums:

http://donclink.com/deuce_75_1/images/dscn2950.jpg

Using links from photo sites such as Photobucket can help in "size" issue with uploaded attachment files. For best viewing in web browsers, photos should be around the 800x600 pixel range, and probably not more than 1024x768. Most cameras today store HUGE jpg image files, as the default settings are in the 7, 8, 10, and 12Mb image sizes. The image files that are then attached are very large, and the browser can't display the full image size without using the scroll bars. Use the re-sizing functions of your photo editing software to reduce the image to 800x600, which reduces the file sixe and the image load time in the browser. Don uses Google's free Picassa3 software, which is an excellent photo management product. All of the photo albums of the Deuce, Grand National, and Auburn that are links on the NORG site were built using Picassa's web creation functions. And it's free? (THANKS to Don Clink for the info!)
HOW DO I SHOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH MY USERNAME? You can LogIn on the Forum, and select PREFERENCES. On this page Members can add optional information such as their City,State, Country; Occupation; Hobbies: list a Homepage; list AOL Instant Messanger Handle; Signature; "Make Email Address viewable to others;" and even change the number of Default Topics shown on a page. WHEN others click on your profile, they will see this information.

EFV-8 Club Forum / Light Commercial Truck Discussion / 33 Model B starting issues

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion

<< previous || next >>

Posted By

Discussion Topic: 33 Model B starting issues

HeinkeK

04-27-2026 @ 5:05 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 4
Joined: Apr 2026

I'm looking for some help with getting this truck started. I have a 1/2 ton model B pickup that has been part of my family since 1953 (the year I was born). It has been setting at my place in a shed in Southern Illinois without being started for about three years now. I have replaced the battery (12V and fully charged) and battery cables, cleaned all connections, but the multimeter still reads only about 4.5 V (at the starter) when engaging the starter and it won't crank over. When I remove the spark plugs the motor cranks over just fine, so I know it is not locked up. Lots of further details available. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

This message was edited by HeinkeK on 4-27-26 @ 5:53 PM

carcrazy

04-27-2026 @ 9:05 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 2088
Joined: Oct 2009

If the engine won't crank with the spark plugs installed but will once they are removed, suspect either a problem with the electrical system or a hydraulic lock. Most likely the electrical connections are corroded or rusted preventing sufficient current flow to turn the engine over once it has compression.

To remedy the situation, remove all of the connections between the battery, starter switch, and starter motor. Clean all the terminals, including the ground paths. Reinstall the spark plugs and see if the engine will crank properly.

If the engine still won't crank, suspect that your battery needs to be replaced. You can take your battery to a local auto parts store to be checked to determine if it needs to be replaced with a new one.

HeinkeK

04-28-2026 @ 4:19 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 4
Joined: Apr 2026

Thank you! I have already done all that you suggest and have a new 12 V battery. The symptoms are intermittent which makes all the troubleshooting even more difficult.
I worked on it again today and finally had the starter switch get stuck and over heated the starter motor, so I removed it to check it out to make sure it still spins. Thank goodness it does. I think I may have found the problem though. When the starter spins it is sending the Bendix into the proper position, but there is a small spring is supposed to send it back out of the engagement position. That spring seems to be worn out and the Bendix gear is stuck engaged with the ring gear. I know that doesn't explain the spark plug in or out issues but again it all is intermittent issues

carcrazy

04-28-2026 @ 5:11 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 2088
Joined: Oct 2009

Does your vehicle have a 6V electrical system with a 12V battery installed? If so, the 6V starter will spin too fast causing the Bendix to slam into the flywheel ring gear. This will eventually damage the Bendix starter drive. The starter can be rebuilt as a 12V starter by a competent starter/generator shop by changing the field coils.

HeinkeK

05-01-2026 @ 10:23 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 4
Joined: Apr 2026

Thank you. This is exactly what I have, just a 12V battery and 12V head and taillight bulbs. Everything else is still 6V.
Could this abuse of the starter wear out that return spring on the Bendix?

HeinkeK

05-05-2026 @ 3:42 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 4
Joined: Apr 2026

Further information: I pulled the starter, cleaned it up and lubed it, and made sure everything seemed to be functioning correctly. The only thing that seems week to me is the spring that I think is supposed to kick the Bendix gear back out of the ring gear. Now I pulled the spark plugs and I can easily rotate the motor one revolution either direction, but then it comes to a hard stop. Maybe the Bendix gear not disengaging with the ring gear?

carcrazy

05-05-2026 @ 8:56 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 2088
Joined: Oct 2009

Having the engine come to a hard stop when it is rotated in either direction does not sound good. It sounds like something could have fallen into one of the cylinders when the spark plugs were removed.

Can you rotate the engine more than 360 degrees of crankshaft rotation when you crank the engine by hand? If you can, things are probably ok.

If you can't, you will have to find out why not and remove the object from the cylinder that is preventing rotation.

<< previous || next >>

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

Merchandise Questions

Membership Questions