Hello! '67 that doesn't start...

[nametakennow]

Hello! I'm new, in case you hadn't figured that out yet. I honestly don't know much about classics, or domestics in general, so sorry if this seems a little naive.

My friend is in possession of a '67 Mustang 6cyl =( coupe with something like 40,000 original miles (crazy!). Anyway, it doesn't seem to want to start. He's replaced the starter relay, but says he still hears nothing when he turns the key, not even the click of the starter. That fact makes me think it's the starter itself, but he seems to be set on something electrical preceding the starter. Anyway, what else would be likely to be bad on a car that most of it's life has collected dust? Battery is fine, fyi.

Other info: it's red, though it seems that the owner didn't like the old red, so they repainted it, the only reason we know it was originally red is because some of the paint has chipped down to another, slightly differently shaded, colour below. It's auto, unfortunately, but we're going to change that too later, maybe... what other info do you guys have on this car? Like which one of the apparently 3 different 6cyls offered in Fords that year does it have? How much is it worth (once we get it running), off chance? Anything else?

Thanks!

edit: And why are the words Mustang and coupe green above, or is that just me/my computer?

 

[GaPonyFarm]

First.. I'd be highy skeptical that it only has 40,000 original miles. More likely 140k or 240k... remember these old cars completely rolled over at 100k miles.

Try turning on the ignition and jump across the starter solenoid. If nothing happens it could be either the battery cables, or the starter itself. You can pull the starter and test it any almost any auto parts store.

If you do get starter action, start looking back toward the ignition switch. Between you and me... I'd also be suspect of the starter, just because of past experiences.

 

[fastcoupe68]

I hope the battery is not dead?

 

[nametakennow]

I hope the battery is not dead?

Haha, no, that was the first thing he checked.

The starter is my first suspicion as well. And as far as the complete roll over thing, I've never dealt with classics, so this is new to me, thanks!

 

[68_stanger]

I agree, try jumping the cylinoid, make sure your in park or neutral, if nothing happends it'll be either starter (my guess too) or battery cables.

 

[68RustBucket]

get a new celanoid. they're cheap. if you turn the key and the celanoid just clicks once, then refuses to do anything else, i'm 99% sure it's the lack of power going through the battery cables cause they get all sorts of tarnished. they're cheap as hell and easy to replace. try the celanoid, battery, and cables before you go and replace the starter

 

[nametakennow]

Thanks a ton, I'll pass the message and tell you guys how it goes!

I gotta chuck this in again, anyone know the power specs for the 6cyl (not great, I'm sure, just wondering)?

 

[Pakrat]

It could simply be a bad ground as well, but that would often at least create a slight ticking at the starter. Corrosion can easily build up around the grounds, particularly the one from battery to block if the radiator was poorly flushed out at one time in it's life. The old braided one to the firewall should also be checked and that cost nothing. I would also invest a few dollars into a multi tester before I go replacing Solenoids or cables and such. By connecting the leads of the tester to each intersection, you will know in seconds where the breakdon in volatge is if any at all. Verify first, then replace.

 

[doug68hoss]

hang is there buddy....the starting system is very simple...

 

[GaPonyFarm]

I'm sure most of us here wish we only had the problem you're having, but all problems suck when they happen to us.

If you decide it IS the starter, PM me before you buy a new one. There are a couple of things you can do, short of buying new.

 

[Tim65GT]

Neutral Safety Switch

You mentioned it was automatic, it could be the neutral safety switch mounted on the transmission. See if you are getting power to the solonoid at the S terminal when turning the key to "start" position.