55' Starter Solenoid Problem-Help

[Guest]

I recently got a 55 Studebaker Commander. I put a new 6 volt battery in, and the motor didn't turn over when I turned the key. But, if I put the starter wire on the positive of the battery, it would turn over. I bought a new solenoid that matched the one that was on it and bolted it on. Now when I turn the key the motor turns over, but it turns over very, very slow, and the solenoid clicks many many times. Anyone know what the problem might be.(The car was sitting for a good while.)Any help would be appreciated.

[Guest]

its probably the starter motor. remove it and inspect the brushes and bushings. Replace them if they r bad. thats about all u can do to a starter other than turn the commutator. If the commutator is not real bad dont worry about it.

[Guest]

and make sure the starter relay is getting a GOOD ground. Some relays require a ground and others dont. Sounds like u mite have wire or cable connexion problems too. I'd check all of that before removing the starter.

[fordee9r (Ron Springstead)]

The main thing to remember with 6 volt starting systems is cable size and terminal connections. Your battery cables should be at least twice the size of your modern car. I have also seen large 6 volt cables stuffed into 12 volt replacement battery terminals. They don't work! Get a Heavy Duty truck type terminal designed for the larger cables.<BR>If you have large cables & terminals, good clean connections and the starter still labors, then I would agree that you have a bad starter.

[Guest FordPiet]

You mentioned that the starter turned the enigine over when you connected it directly to the battery. If it turns it over at a good speed when connected directly but very slowly when going throught the solenoid, then I believe the starter is ok, but the circuit to the starter needs help. It could be the new solenoid, the wires to the solenoid, the connections of some or any of the wires could be corroded or a combination of those. For a Ford solenoid and also the ones on light airplane, they should not "click" while the starter is turning. I.e. they engage a heavy switch to complete the circuit from the battery to the starter. If it is clicking, the ciruit (at least on those solenoids) would be be on and off, on and off. Old 6 volt VWs have problems with the wiring and they sell a kit to install a Ford solenoid back by the starter that actually energizes the VW solenoid. It reduces some of the drop in the old wiring. Good luck and let us know what you discover. Hap 1915 Ford cut off

[Guest]

Thanks for all the input you all have given me. As soon as I have a day to get in the garage I'm going to check all of this out. I'm anxious to hear a little rumble out of the old pipes! Thanks again.

[Guest stude8]

Hello 55:<BR>You didn't mention brand of starter, if it is original it should be a Delco for a 55 V8 but what I want to say is if it is Auto-lite they have a bad history of using a bronze sleeve bearing at the drive end of the armature which wears in the direction of thrust until eventually the armature segments drag on the field winding shoes. At that point even a Greyhound Bus battery won't crank it over. The Delco's held up better but the same condition is possible with enough lack of maintenence on any starter. Stude8