Where's the problem?

[79stang50]

OK, I have a carbureted 302. A few nights ago I was cruising in it, it did fine until I got to the gas station. I fueled up just before I was to head home, and I get in my car car, put the key in, turn it.....and nothing. Not even the clicking sound of a bad battery. Doesn't turn over, nothing. I'm thinking maybe a ground wire somewhere? Has anyone had this problem? The battery cables are hooked up great, but I haven't been able to get down and look at the starter (our jack broke....great). I'm hoping to get under there and take a good look, but before I do, do any of you have any ideas?

And recently the car has started hum. Sounds like it's coming from the rear end, but I'm not totally sure. It could be from the tranny too, but I hope it isn't. It kinda sounds a little higher pitched than the sound you get when blowing across the top of a bottle. I'm somewhat stumped as to what this is, but I was thinking maybe my rear end is getting ready to go out....?

One more question - To install a 351C, what all needs to be done? Different motor mounts? Will a C4 fit? The C is a 2V heads version, bored .30 over and a brand new cam in it. I can get it for 300 bucks, wrapped in plastic on an engine stand. I was wondering if it'd be worth it to go ahead with it, and what would have to be done to accomodate it.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[ironmedic]

do your axle gears need to be shimmed? my gears like to hum really loud when the car decelerates. i need to get it fixed LOL!

when you turn your ACC on, do you hear your fuel pump come on and do you have power inside the car?

 

[SuperStang83]

Did you check your fuel pump? Could be that as well as a bad ground or any number of battery problems.

Jakob

 

[orangecapri]

Check your fusible links. Thats what my problem was and put new ones on and fixed it. Come to autozone Friday afternoon if you get the chance, I should have my car there with the new 135 amp alt., new wiring, and everything.

 

[79stang50]

Unfortunately I have to work Friday...but I gotta make it up there sometime to see your car. Here lately I've stopped by a few times getting some random stuff, but the only guy I know there that I've seen is Allen.

I'll check the links though....it seems to me it's either a ground or the link. I"ll have to see. Thanks for the help guys!

PS: Ironmedic: Whoever installed the gears last time put them in a bit too tight. This time around, when I get the 3.90s in, I know the guy doing it will put them in exactly as they are supposed to be.

 

[jrichker]

Here's a checklist:

Check battery, terminal connections, ground, starter relay switch (also known as solenoid) and starter in that order.

A voltmeter is handy if you are familiar with how to use it to find bad connections. Measure the voltage drop across a connection: more than .5 volts across a connection indicates a problem.

1.) Will the car start if it is jumped? Then clean battery terminals and check the battery. Most auto parts stores will do a free battery check if you bring them the battery.

2.) Check the battery to engine block ground, and the ground behind the engine to the firewall.

3.) Check the cables for cracks in the insulation, and corrosion around the wire where it joins the connector. Look for swelling of the cable’s diameter which would indicate corrosion inside the cable. Bending the cable can often reveal corrosive damage inside the cable when the outside looks OK.

4.) Put the car's transmission in neutral or has someone press in on the clutch. Then pull the small push on connector (red wire) off the starter relay (Looks like it is stuck on a screw) and jump it to the terminal that is connected to the battery. If it starts, the relay is good and your problem is in the rest of the circuit.

5.) Remember to check the ignition switch, neutral safety switch on auto trans and the clutch safety switch on manual trans cars. If they are good, then the relay is bad. See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/...23d8019595f.gif for a very good diagram of the starter & neutral safety switch wiring

6.) Jump the big terminals on the starter relay next to the battery with a screwdriver - watch out for the sparks! If the engine cranks, the starter and power wiring are good. The starter relay is also known as a starter solenoid.

7.) The starter may be hung, loosen up the bolts that hold it on, and give it a good whack with a big hammer. Tighten up the bolts and try again.

8.) Pull the starter and take it to Autozone or Pep Boys and have them test it. If the starter fails the test, then replace it. If you got this far, the starter is probably bad.