Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I take it the Starter motor has to work to pas an MOT, or can you pass without, and just claim it works normally, due to the 6 Volt it is a bit slow etc?

My Semaphores are a bit sticky, but going to have another day at the weekend perhaps.

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

mmmmmmm not sure, not really a safety issue - if you can demonstrate starting using the handle, then I'm sure you'd get away with it. The only problem is, if the starter doesn't work, it may suggest a vehicle requiring work, and the MOT man might look more closely than usual at the rest of it - might make him more picky than he might otherwise be

Semaphores might just need a dab of wd40 on them. You can manually exercise them up and down if they're a bit stiff - but don't just pull 'em up from the closed position - pop the trafficator up on the switch as normal, then switch it off while still holding the arm out. Now you can exercise the arm a bit, before letting it fall back into place.

R
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[47p2]

I wouldn't think a starter motor would be an MOT failure but the semaphores would be. It may be bad earthing that's the cause of the electrical gremlins
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[buzzy bee]

Hi

I was in two minds about the starter, especially if I stay with it, and use the handle, just wether if it is fitted it has to work. Although if I take it to a local guy, and say it is 6 Volt so is allways slow, he might understand.

I will try the semaphores at the weekend.

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

so isn't it turning over on the starter at all?

R
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[buzzy bee]

Hi

I took it off last weekend, and cleaned/flattened the penny contacts, and re tried it, it tries, but doesn't turn, as if it hasn't got enough electricity, so will try to charge the battery, actually, I may go up later or tomorrow and bring the battery home for a good charge.

Cheers

Dave

[47Jag]

Dave,

If you had the starter off you should have gone one step further and had a look at the internals. The brushes could be stuck, check the field coils where they are soldered to the power stud (the one you cleaned). The joint there can go 'dry'. Make sure the brush end plate and yolk is clean because this is the only connection for the brushes to earth. If the earth wire on the battery doesn't go to the engine block change it so that it does as close to the starter as possible. When you only have 6 volts every 1/2 volt drop makes a difference. Ford had a problem in the 60's with starter brushes where the brush developed an oxide between the brush and armature. It affected mainly the 105E & 109Es.I doubt if this is your problem but make sure the brushes are nice and shiny where they contact the armature.

Art

[Rick]

yeah give the battery a good charge, and as 47Jag says, double check the engine earthing to the chassis.

R
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[buzzy bee]

Hi

I have a lead direct to the motor, but will check the motor, as I only have to take three bolts out to take it off, I haven't filled the coolant yet, so don't need to drain that again.

I was planning on doing it this weekend, maybe will be able to, one day have just been taken up, driving a van to collect something from Shropshire.... Not for this thread though!

Cheers

Dave

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Right, got everything working bar the horn, for which I can try to make work, or will an old bulb horn satisfy the MOT man, if I remove the electric horn? I know one guy that has used one and passes each year.

Semaphores seem to work, starter is turning over, all be it slowly, but as long as I start it on the handle, and can show the starter works a bit, I hope that is enough.

Just driven it home, hasn't been driven for months, the steering feels very tight, still with play, but stiff, due to my adjusting nut I think.

Also in the oil filler funnel there is a little bit of water on the surface, obviously can't see the oil, hope the head gasket hasn't gone, hoping it is just condensation, due to the cold months we have had, with no running.

Going to drive her back after dinner.

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

Dave, sorry been busy so been off line for a bit. You got MOT yet?
My Jowett is 6v and they are notoriously bad starters. Last year I invested in a new battery titivated the starter and the starter push, invested in a new prayer mat and Hey presto the thing started on the starter when warm. That is until the day I took it for MOT when it just did not want to play. MOT man made no issues of me starting it with a handle.
As for your steering, are you shur that the problem isn't simply the modern that you have been driving has made you forget how stiff the steering is?
Paul