DaveAspi Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 I have a 1923 Buick Model 4-39 that has stopped running, and fixing it has surpassed my High School Freshman Auto Shop abilities. I believe the starter has shorted out. Anyway, can anyone on the forum recommend a shop or mobile antique car mechanic in the San Diego, or even SoCal area? Have trailer will travel. Great running pretty original car up until about 3 months ago. The picture is from last years Huntington Beach Concour d'Elegance where it took 1st place for American Evolutionary cars, as well as 1st place for Peoples Choice! Thanks for your help, would like to her back on the road SOON! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28 Chrysler Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 A better description of the problem might help. Is the starter tuning over slow, drawing a lot of current (gets hot) ? If it doesn't turn over at all it is not shorted but you have on open circuit, most likely the switch. If the battery is charged and all the connections are good take and jumper cable and go from the battery directly to the starter to bypass the starter switch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Yup, a little more info will help us help you. The starter/generator is a very robust piece of equipment. I suspect your battery cable may be too small for the extra amps the six volt system needs. At least clean the connections and recharge your battery before you give it to another mechanic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAspi Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Slowly over the past 4 months the foot starter would function intermittently, then ceased to function at all right around Christmas. Battery is good, switch wires good. Traced the wire and connectivity and found that one of the wires inside the starter had its insulation rubbed off over time and it seemed to me to be shorting shorting out on the wall of starter. Of course, I can't get to this wire without taking the starter off, which in-turn is connected to the water-pump and so on down the slippery slope of antique car repair. To make matters worse, the crank nut for manual starting has been broken forever, never though to repair it, due to having the foot starter. All that being said, would love to just drop the car off, or have a mechanic drop by and just get'r all fixed. Whatever needs repairs, get it repaired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 A good idea is to search out a competent mechanic before you need one. Then he knows the car and you know him. Cars need service regularly and not just when they break down. Many times routine maintenance avoids breakdowns. Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAspi Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Reaching out to the forum to do just that, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoringicons Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Here is a shop that specializes in pre-WWII automobiles. They are good friends of mine and do amazing work whether it be a full restoration or minor repairs. Tell Chris that Guy Z. sent you! Tired Iron Works 135 E Foothill Blvd,Monrovia, CA 91016 Phone: (626) 359-9306 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAspi Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Chris! Fantastic, and almost local too. I will give them a call- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAspi Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Just got off the phone with Tired Iron Works, he had good laugh when I said Chris That Guy-Z sent me. Made an appointment for next Friday! Sound like good guys there. I really appreciate your help, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 17 minutes ago, motoringicons said: Here is a shop that specializes in pre-WWII automobiles. They are good friends of mine and do amazing work whether it be a full restoration or minor repairs. Tell Chris that Guy Z. sent you! Tired Iron Works 135 E Foothill Blvd,Monrovia, CA 91016 Phone: (626) 359-9306(626) 359-9306 Did Hibernia Restorations have a shop along that stretch in the late '80's. I remember stooping and talking to some friendly guys doing a '40's Continental there and a few blocks away was a Ford/Streetrod catalog store. The guy used to put out a cartoony looking catalog similar to the old Honest Charlie's one. Good memories from my cogeneration trips and running alone Foothill. Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 If all else fails, Jason Smith can get her done for you. He understands these starters inside and out. http://forums.aaca.org/topic/154337-generator-starter-distributor-restoration-services/ The guys working on your car for you most likely already know this. I sent him a 1915 Buick Starter Generator with a Duesy of a problem a while back. (Not my own) My thought is that someone at one time put the wrong armature in it as on click over mode it turned backward and would not click. The only thing I though that would do this is an armature wound 1/8th of a turn different. The Hudson Delco system was set up that way as the brushes were at an angle on the click over, generator end of the Delco unit. Not sure how he is making out with it, but I'm sure he will get er done. Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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