54 Plymouth Starter Motor Remove/Replace

[Gaby51]

Thanks for your help guys, I got it out, and sent it off to Hagen's Auto Parts for rebuilding.  It came back all done on Thursday, and I spent the weekend reinstalling it.   This afternoon, I hooked it up, and my '54 Belvedere  started right up!   Whoo Hoo!!!   :D    I've been very lucky as Old Man Winter has stayed away so far, so now I can drive it around for a while before I have to up for the winter.  Can't wait for Spring so I can start on the other million things I want to get done.  Oh well, what's an old car for anyway?  Thanks again for all your support.
George

[Go Fleiter]

I took a good rope to hold the starter to a wood, posed on the fenders.
Just 2 bolts and one cable to losen and than let it down to the floor. It is weighty! Came back easily too, same rope trick.
It is a couple of years ago now, but this was one of the few repairs which went easier than expected!
Repair itself is easy too, and oil the Bendix drive!
Good luck ! Go

[bigaadams]

OO cables are a plus...any older cable can be a nightmare and interanlly cause a voltage drop even if the terminals look good....a little voltage drop equals a bit chunk of available amperage to do your work..it would be a good idea to check for drops all along the cables and connections.  If these pass muster then you can do a proper test of current draw while cranking..if the amperage exceeds the amount specified for your starter, odds are the armature is dragging on the field coil...there is so little available reserve amperage in a 6 volt system..exceed this value and there is no current for proper ignition fire.  The rear bushing is #1 suspect in too much current drain..look for an enlongated bushing at the rear..these are inexpensive and easy to replace..does the starter a world of good.  As in all electrical systems there are test one should make to assure proper operation over assumed operation..looking and tightening bolts work some times..but ultimately over time a repair will have to be effected..look to your manual for these tests and values...voltage drop tests are explained very well in many articles on line easily found using a google/yahoo search..if you do go the route of a new rear bush..remember these are oilite..do soak overnight in oil prior to installation..

good read...   http://www.engine-light-help.com/voltage-drop.html

[John Hendricks]

Are the new battery cables about as big around as your thumb? With 6 volts u need the big size. I had the starter out of my 40 pickup 3 times because I thought it was bad.  I was using cables the size of common 12 volt jumper cables and they just don't carry enuff juice.  The starter motor just lifts out after the nuts or bolts are undone.  Unhook the battery before u start.  The gears set themselves when the starter is engaged.  The guys at my local NAPA store can make cables any size and length u need.  I think the big size is either 0 or 00 ,but u can ask.  Some batteries need different size clamps on pos and neg, so the pos ground may cause fitting problems.

[Gaby51]

Hi Guys,
Even with a New Battery, my Starter Motor cranks very slowly so I think it needs to be rebuilt.  My question simply put is "Is it difficult to reinstall the Starter Motor?"  I've read the Plymouth Service Manual, and it warns about not "meshing" the teeth properly, so that scares me a bit.  :o
I know the Starter Motor is heavy, so getting it back on, and seated might be a problem, but I think I should be able to do it if I go slowly.   :) Any help will be most appreciated!!  Thanks.

PS:  I have also replaced the Starter Relay, Battery Cables and Starter Cable.  Bought all those parts from Andy Bernbaum.