1951 Buick Special Starter Issues
Hi,
I'm new to this forum and I just took delivery of a 1951 Buick Special Deluxe 4Dr Tourback Sedan.
When it was delivered, the truck drivers dropped it off for me in a grocery store parking lot only a few blocks from my home. At first it had a little trouble starting so the guys driving the delivery truck gave me a jump. In order to start they also sprayed just a little ether into the air intake, as well. The car drove fine after this, though I did notice a little bit of revving/surging at one point which I assumed was probably because I wasn't familiar with the Dynaflow transmission.
The next day though I wasn't able to restart the car. I thought it might be due to the battery being weak, so I tried giving it a jump, but nothing happens.
Basically, I get no indication of the starter engaging at all, with the only sounds detected appearing to be a faint sound of the linkages connected to the gas pedal moving.
When I opened up the hood, it looked like the carburetor may have flooded and spilled over a little, so I let the car sit for a day, but with no luck.
Since I don't hear the starter engaging my first thoughts are that there might be an electrical issue preventing power from getting to the starter, but since I'm really unfamiliar with cars like this, I wasn't sure, and thought maybe I should check around on the internet.
If anyone has any suggestions I'd be very greatful.
Thanks
Pat
I double checked the battery...
Hi,
Thanks for all the help.
I double checked the battery connections and was able to get the car to start, though later when trying to restart it again, I couldn't get it to do so regularly. When I turn the key to start normally the gas gauge and other such gauges will swing toward their normal operating positions, and stay there when I depress the pedal and the starter engages. Other times though, when I step on the gas pedal, at the point where the starter would normally engage all the gauges drop to their at rest positions and no sound comes from the starter.
Based on Raycow's post above and a recommendation from the 1951 Buick Shop Manual I can usually start the car by placing a screw driver across the leads of the starter solenoid, but I don't feel comfortable doing this unless its an emergency, etc.
As such, I think I'm gong to take the car to a local mechanic and ask him to look over the car to check out everything.
Unfortunately will doing a brief run up to the gas station today I encountered anothe problem, that I'll do a separate post on.
Thanks again for all the recommendations. They really helped.
Pat