My friend has a '71 Chevelle with a stock 396. We've been having a problem with getting it started and tried a few things, but nothing seems to make much sense.

With the starter in the car, the Bendix? was engaging to the flywheel, but would not turn over. We dropped the starter, but kept it hooked up to the wires, and the starter will then turn over like there isn't a problem. We re-installed it, and the same problem - it will engage the flywheel, but won't crank.

Any thoughts? Could it just be a bad starter/windings/bushings???? that would allow it to crank when there is no load, but as soon as there is some resistance - it doesn't have enough to turn the engine???

Previous to this problem, there was no indication of a problem with the starter or grinding, or hard starting, anything else similiar to that.

Thanks!!

1st thing i would make sure that the engine is free and rolls over without any bind. Stranger things have happened!

(no sarcasim intended)
Buck

That was one of our 1st thoughts too, so we were sure to check that the engine does turn over by hand - which it does. Thanks.

If the starter is old one is only 39.95 at advance change it and be done.:yes:

I would find a local starter & alternator rebuilder & have my original one rebuilt. Always seem to have clearance problems between the bendix and flywheel after installing rebuilt ones from parts houses. They never seem to sound the same after replacing with another starter.

Sounds like a pair of windings have failed.

I had exactly the same problem. It would spin under no load, but as soon as it was mounted, all I got was a click. A new power master starter fixed it. It is safe to say your starter is toast. Get a good aftermarket starter and be done with it.


rb6667

Thanks everybody .... I'll look into getting a new starter and be done with it.