QUICK! Can you test a starter motor without bolting it to the bellhousing?

[Starscream88]

Before I run out to buy a new starter motor,

Can I disconnect it from the bell housing and let it hang and try to crank it?

Or does the bell housing act as a ground?

lemme know guys qwik

 

[Trojan Horse]

Before I run out to buy a new starter motor,

Can I disconnect it from the bell housing and let it hang and try to crank it?

Or does the bell housing act as a ground?

lemme know guys qwik

It has to be grounded, plus starter motors have a lot of torque. I would not do that. It is likely to jump around and damage something. You can take it off the car and test it on the ground with a pair of battery cables. Just hook up the ground to the battery and to the housing of the starter Hook up the positive to the battery, hold on to the starter and just touch the cable end to the positive terminal.
Good Luck.

 

[Starscream88]

Cool,

I pulled off my old one and gave it a few whacks with a dead blow hammer,

Everythings cool now

Starts as usual, It was just gunked in black soot, Must have been from the King Cobra clutch install I did a month ago,
Im guessing that was the clutch "bedding in" that caused all the dust.

 

[Papageof]

Or you could take it to an auto parts store. We all will test them usually for free in hopes you will buy a new one from us. This gives you a better answer because just running it on the ground won't tell you if it is drawing too many/few amps or what not.