Starter trouble

[Blown4.6]

Hey, I'm working on my 2nd starter in the past 4 months. I think this one's shot. Could someone tell me what the problem likely is? Also, is a 351W w/auto trans starter replace easy? I've only done one once on a sbc. It was fairly easy to get things to line up. If it's a pita, I'll just let my mechanic handle it.

Okay, when it's cold, I crank the engine and it turns the motor over a couple times then disengages and just spins "rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr". I turn the key off and let the starter stop spinning. Then re-crank it with the same result. I assume it's fryed due to my previous timing issue which made the engine very nearly impossible to start and in fact, you had to keep cranking it even when it had caught so it wouldn't stall. I guess this just wrecked the starter after a few weeks.

Oh yea, when the engine is hot, i9t does this MUCH less. It seems to engage and stay there (for the most part). Seems strange? Any ideas??

 

[iskwezm]

First off if the starter isnt engaging,its bad.Second,heat is a problem for starters,but you know that.I went through about 2 before i got one that lasted the past 10 years.try a heat shield around the starter????

 

[mustangdave]

Best guess is you fried the starter when the timing was off trying to crank against the engine. Easy replacement: 2 bolts, a wire. One bolt may require the use of a wrench instead of a floppy extension. Unlike SBC, there shouldn't be any shims to deal with. Check first to make sure you don't just have a wire loose.

 

[mustangman70]

If you car leaks oil, the hot oil from the motor will fry a starter up for breakfast about every couple months.

 

[Blown4.6]

Thanks. Yea, it's odd that it works best when hot....when cold it just seems to engage for a second (not long enough to start the engine) and then dis-engage and just spin. Oh well, I'll just get a new one and pay somebody to bolt it on. I've got too many projects right now.

Thanks!

 

[mustangman70]

heck id help ya put it on if i didnt live in St Pete lol.

 

[a.vannoy]

Check the flywheel teeth, the starter is something you handle easy