Roger's Idiot thread for a 302/C4 into a '70

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by smegnl, Sep 18, 2019.

  1. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    Im sorry but this is gonna be a very very dumb question. I hooked the power cable up to the starter where I thought it should go, but now it is testing as a short to ground. This is where I hooked it up to where that little cable was. I didnt see any other bolt on the back, but of course the headers are in the way. Is this not the right spot?
    upload_2020-11-25_16-59-4.png
     
  2. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    A starter will have a extremely low resistance, less than one ohm(why they draw 300-400 amps in operation).

    Are you saying you've tried to start engine?
     
  3. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    Yes and it didnt go so well. So i started trouble shooting. I took that starter cable and touched it to the pos bat terminal and it sparked like a mad. So I did a continuity test to ground and it was a solid beep. So I dont know if that space the little cable was in the pic was for a ground strap?
     
  4. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    this is where the starter cable is attached. Is this correct?
    upload_2020-11-25_19-49-50.png
     
  5. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Yes that's correct. The resistance of starter is so low a continuity check is going to be inconclusive. Well assumin' it isn't open.

    Possibly tip of cable terminal is grounding on the starter housing?
     
  6. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    Well I was able to get the starter out without taking off the headers! Gonna go get it tested.
     
  7. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Jumper cables connected to battery and starter case, strike positive on stud, it's either good or bad.

    BTW have the starter secured, if it runs will try to roll..
     
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  8. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    I did that and the starter turned very slowly, did not extend out either. Took it in. They wanted to bench test it there, so I was like have at it. I know its bad. They hooked it up. Pressed go and the thing shot sparks everywhere. Made a loud boom sound then started spinning at normal speed. Sounded really grindy to. I got a new one coming tomorrow or next day.
     
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  9. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Nothing a second coat of paint won't fix. ;)
     
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  10. stumanchu

    stumanchu Stuart

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    Some hard of hearing tech at the starter re-build factory will test that thing, give it that second coat of paint, and send it back to Oh-no Zone. :drool: My last lifetime starter is in my scrap pile while a junkyard mini gets to do the grunt work.....I can still bench press a mini through the header tunnel.
     
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  11. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    LOL... First thing you know that starter will have so much paint, it'll be too large to fit into the opening.

    I bought a couple of those shiny, $30(no doubt offshore) PMGR starters from ebay. One on my Comet since '14 & couple years later, other wound up on my beater '96 F-150 5.0. Both have been fine. I see price has gone up since I bought mine.

    https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...eDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=ford+302+pmgr+starter
     
  12. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    Glad you posted that and Ill keep it if my referb goes out. I would have been way to scared to just try something that cheap on my own. Thanks for the info
     
  13. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    Little gas in the carb and first attempt to start. Didnt start but did this... Any ideas? Distributor was never removed so timing should be good.
     
  14. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Sounds like it's only firing a plug or two, non-HO firing order of 15426378 appears correct.

    Is it picking up gas from tank?
     
  15. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    No just the gas that I put in the carb. I'll double check the spark plug wire order. And post a pic
     

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