Jumping Ahead

Well, I missed documenting the starter re-installation because it went so smoothly.  One thing I learned is that it helps to loop a strap around it and have someone bear the weight of the starter from above while positioning it and re installing the bolts and wires.  My Dad recently spent four days visiting me and we were able to replace the hood rockets and the five piece front bumper.  We also got the rear lights and bumper removed before we ran out of time.  Pictures and explanations to come...

The saga of the starter solenoid, Episode 2: She's Really Built...er....Rebuilt

I laid out the kit and tackled the rebuild job one evening with the help of a borrowed soldering iron.

The Offending Solenoid

Rebuild Kit

As I removed the end piece from the solenoid, I was encouraged to discover that the bolt that connects to the starter had broken loose from the soldered solenoid wire.  This told me that the power would not get to the starter even if the solenoid made a proper connection.  That did not, however, explain why the lever was not engaging and throwing the gear into position to engage the flywheel. Note the worn contacts on the circular contact disk in the middle of the solenoid in the picture below.

Broken Solder on Bolt Head

Installed: gasket, center contact & spring, wire lead (not yet soldered)

After one finger burn, several failed attempts at soldering the rebuild kit contact wire from the solenoid to 

the starter contact post, and some soldering assistance from my 21 yr old daughter (she builds LED Hula Hoops as a hobby), the rebuilt solenoid was ready for testing.  

 '56 Chevy Starter Solenoid - Rebuilt (L) and New (R)

The first part of the video shows the rebuilt solenoid exhibiting the same behavior as the old solenoid.  Oh, well, it was worth the $25 to gamble on the rebuild kit versus the $75 price tag on the new one.  

As it turns out, it was the main body of the solenoid that was bad.  I had to buy the new one anyway.  All in all a great learning process that I really enjoyed even though it came at a very inopportune time.  

Next up, re-installing the starter in the Bel Air in hopes that I can sell it.

It just goes to show you, it's always something....

Roseanne Roseannadanna - R.I.P. Gilda

I scheduled a meeting with a potential buyer for my red '57 Bel Air last week.  Determined to make a good first impression, I uncovered it, vacuumed it out, wiped it down, started it up and ran it around the block, then staged it nicely in the driveway.

When he arrived, we exchanged pleasantries and I handed him the keys while giving him a run down of the history of the vehicle and what I had done to it to this point.  I encouraged him to start it up, anticipating the smooth rumble of that rebuilt Edelbrock carb.

He turned the key and....absolutely nothing.  Sigh.  Is this car named "Christine"?  Does it not want to leave me?  Forty-five minutes of trouble shooting later.  No progress.  It's dark.  I apologize and promise to let him know when I figure out what the problem is.

I figure it must be the ignition switch, battery, battery cables, solenoid or starter.  My first run at the battery tells me that it is low.  Subsequent tests tell me it is fine.  There is no neutral cut off switch.  Given my level of experience, I do the smart thing and hit the Trifive.com forum for some help. Via deft questioning they are able to tell me that it is most likely the solenoid or the starter.

A quick YouTube search turns up some good videos on how to diagnose solenoid and starter problems.  I highly recommend this video as well as videos by EricTheCarGuy.  I am a visual learner and nothing beats being able to see someone actually doing it.

I dream of a big garage with a hydraulic lift.

I jacked up the Bel Air, crawled underneath and was able to jumper the hot cable to the S terminal on the solenoid which is supposed to engage the solenoid.  Nothing.  I then jumpered the hot wire to the starter terminal and heard it spin.  Big clue that it is probably the solenoid.  I then spent about an hour unhooking wires and getting just the right tool in just the right position to be able to loosen the bolts on the starter and remove it.  Ever try to hold a bowling ball up with one hand while laying on your back...for 15 minutes?

After getting the starter/solenoid assembly detached from the beast I put it on my work bench, hooked up some jumper cables to it and was able to duplicate the tests detailed in the YouTube video. Definitely the solenoid.

I took some time to examine the starter closely. It definitely looked like an original and was caked with a baked on layer of grease, dirt and oil.  I was able to see a metal plate on one side and spent several minutes with a rag, brake cleaner and a wire brush and was able to reveal the original identification plate.  Delco Remy with a serial number.  Would love to know what the number reveals.  This is part of the allure of these vehicles for me.  Solving puzzles, learning new things and digging into a little bit of history.

NOT the part I need

The gaping maw that contains the flywheel.

Another internet search showed me that what was being sold as a '57 Chevy Bel Air starter solenoid was not exactly what was laying on my work bench.  A visit to Advance Auto Parts was no help.  The very nice man working there even searched a paper catalog with no success. He suggested NAPA.  (My cousin Jimmy Payne will love that.)  The guy who works at the local Napa Auto Parts store looks like he may have built the first American automobile himself - and that is a compliment because he has that depth of knowledge.  He looked at it and checked his computer and quickly told me that someone had modified my car at some point because the starter solenoid is a 1956 model.  The solenoid I needed would cost about $75 plus shipping but a rebuild kit would be about $25 total.  Rebuilding the one I have sounds like a fun challenge and I am a bit cheap so I opted for the rebuild kit.  Will let you all know how it goes.