Starter Help

[Heavymetal350]

My starter seems to not want to fly into the fly wheel. I hit it with the (+)battery cable but all it does is sit there at the end with the gear spinning at the end. At first i thought it was the starter but my dads 1934 Oldsmobile does that exact same thing. SO now im starting to think its human error. Now I dont know if i should remove the starters from the other 2 Hudson who are willing to donate. Any help on this problem will be greatly appreciated

thanks,
Sean

The car is 1949 Hudson 6

[mars55]

Are you hitting the starter with the positive battery voltage? Remember, a '49 Hudson has the positive battery terminal connect to ground (Positive Ground).

[Heavymetal350]

Yea im hitting it with positive voltage. positive ground? does that mean i should have the positive battery terminal going to the ground and the negative going to the starter?

[Geoff C., N.Z.]

Okay, have you had the starter out for any reason? The usual cause of this is either gunked up worm on the Bendix drive, or the starter is turning backwards. Contrary to popular theory, reversing the polarity of the battery will not cause this, but reversing the connections inside the generator will. Easy enough to do when you put things back together.
Geoff.

[Billy K.TN.]

Okay, have you had the starter out for any reason? The usual cause of this is either gunked up worm on the Bendix drive, or the starter is turning backwards. Contrary to popular theory, reversing the polarity of the battery will not cause this, but reversing the connections inside the generator will. Easy enough to do when you put things back together.
Geoff.

I think Geoff means starter not generator. If you turn the end plate 180 % it will turn backwards.

[nick s]

Okay, have you had the starter out for any reason? The usual cause of this is either gunked up worm on the Bendix drive, or the starter is turning backwards. Contrary to popular theory, reversing the polarity of the battery will not cause this, but reversing the connections inside the generator will. Easy enough to do when you put things back together.
Geoff.
if there is no reson to believe the starter is wired incorrectly, try spinning the bendix in and out by hand, spraying the screw with blaster to clean it out (repeat several times until free) and elubricate. i was able to loosen the bendix on my 50 C6 that way after it had sat for 25 years and displayed the symptoms you described.

[Heavymetal350]

the bendix is very free. like all the parts on my engine i took it off and was taken apart, sanded, painted(you could eat off that starter but i wouldnt suggest it :D ) the bendix was cleaned and lubricated and slides with ease. Which makes it aggravating why it wont engage http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/wickedrestoration/hudson3.jpg can kinda see it down in the bottom right

[mars55]

Yea im hitting it with positive voltage. positive ground? does that mean i should have the positive battery terminal going to the ground and the negative going to the starter?

Yes. This is different from modern cars which have negative ground.

[Geoff C., N.Z.]

You are right! Why did I type generator instead of starter?
Geoff.

[Hudson308]

Remember when lubricating the bendix NOT to use anything heavy like axlegrease. This will cause the bendix to stick. I only use WD-40 for this. I suppose light motor oil would also work, but don't use grease.