Starter spins

[jeremywatco]

Getting into this '73 and having issues with starter. Every 3rd or 4th start the starter will just spin and not engage. Let off the key and you will here it go clunk and engage as it's spinning down. Is this the starter or something internal?

Thanks

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[bronconut73]

Bendix in the starter.
You could rebuild your starter or just get a new one.

Maybe a good time to upgrade.
The PMGR starter for our sbf 's are pretty cheap now.
90's Mustang and F-150's had them.
BC Broncos has a tech sheet on the wiring for the upgraded starter.

 

[Broncobowsher]

99% it is just a bad starter.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yep. And while it is tempting to just keep letting it do it's thing and live with it for awhile, once you're driving it away from your home you should be replacing the starter. That's because it will wait until the most inopportune moment (and the farthest away from home) to finally quit engaging altogether.

I got lucky and mine lasted a couple of months doing that every once in awhile until it failed permanently... In the parking lot of my new favorite auto parts store!
Now I know why people often ignore the signs that say "no working on your car in the parking lot" at stores! But at least I didn't have to spill any oil on their parking lot.

It's also where I found out there were two starters for our trucks (automatic trans vs manual trans) and that the boxes often come with the wrong ones in them.
So compare the old to the new to make sure the nose cone and gear have the same resting extension as the old one.

Paul

 

[Eoth]

Yup time for a replacement.. There are a lot of fancy upgrades out there or you can just exchange it at autozone with a lifetime rebuilt ones for 50 bucks. Just pay attention between automatic transmission and manual.

 

[blubuckaroo]

I never had an issue with the original starter in 275K miles.
But when I switched from auto to manual tranny, I bought one of these from Toms. It's been working well now for over eight years.
It gives lots of room for headers, but the best part is these little starters require way less amperage. You can get by with smaller cables and a smaller battery as well.
Not a bad deal at $65.
https://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product/starter-mini-high-torque-manual-new

 

[jeremywatco]

Yup time for a replacement.. There are a lot of fancy upgrades out there or you can just exchange it at autozone with a lifetime rebuilt ones for 50 bucks. Just pay attention between automatic transmission and manual.

Bought a Mean Green Starter from WH. Figured I'd hopefully do it once and never have to worry about it again.

 

[Lawndart]

I went through this last summer. Mine crapped out at my friend's house - it would just spin. I dropped the starter in his driveway. The bendix was busted. Went and got a NAPA gold starter and installed. It would "just spin" every 5-6th time. Got home and replaced the NAPA gold with a Tuff Stuff OEM style starter. More $$ than the NAPA, but better piece of mind. Since I have an automatic tranny.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yep, no push-starting in your case. Without a starter you're pretty much stuck.
Good call I'd say. And Tuff-Stuff has got a pretty good reputation for all their stuff.

Paul

 

[Justafordguy]

X2, on it being a good time to upgrade to a PMGR type starter. I just got one for a 95 F150 with a 5.0 and it worked perfect. Be sure to get the one for an auto or manual transmission based on what type you have. You will have to make a small wiring change but it's easy and well worth the trouble,