bought a Buick but it won't atart

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Bought a '47 Buick super convertible.Rebuilt engine never started.I can turn it over with a socket and breaker bar,tight but it turns over and its all new.Hooked up a 6 volt battery to the starter.All that happens is the starter spins,no engagement of the starter drive.So I push the button on the remote starter switch while using my hand to engage the starter drive and it just stops,like it hit a brick wll.So I use jumper cables from a 12 volt battery to the 6 volt,(nothing else is wired up yet) and still the same thing,no automatic engagement of the starter drive and when I help it it just stops as it hits the flywheel........any ideas?.....thanks in advance :(

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Try taking the plugs out and put about an ounce or two of Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder and let it soak overnight.



    Sounds like a sweet ride...hope you get it running.
  • SuperDave
    SuperDave Senior Contributor
    If the engine has been removed there is a good chance the ground cable was not reinstalled from the engine to the frame. The only grounds you will have is through linkage, drive shaft, speedometer cable etc. Make sure there is a good path from BOTH poles of the battery and the starter. God luck with your brand X. Dave w.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Does that starter really have a big solenoid to engage the starter drive? I was thinking this era Buick still used a big floor button, to the right of the gas pedal, to physically engage the starter drive and, at some point in its travel, trigger the small solenoid for power to the starter motor. Or was it these Buicks where you pressed the accelerator to engage the starter? (Dang, that's been a long time ago!).
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    You could also post the question in the Buick forum at the AACA website: http://forums.aaca.org/ The Buick guys are pretty active and there may be something Buick-specific about the starter that we are overlooking here....is it positive or negative ground? Also, when jumping it with a 12V battery, it would be safer to bypass the 6V battery completely.
  • coverton
    coverton Expert Adviser
    Park is right as usual, they did have an accelerator switch. I had one myself in HS and a very good vehicle.Sounds like it is not the sw/selonoid as you say the starter is spinning and trying to engage. Old friend of my dad's invented/patented that switch-Doug Collins-from Salisbury,NC and literally retired from it.Another note- the driveshaft is enclosed, the motion acts like an auger and will put pressure on the seals so ck the level in the differential vs the tranny as it may be a seal leak.Those old fireball8's were smooth engines and you may be able to find a 41 intake with dual factory carbs. Mr Dumb here sold his for 600 bucks so I could buy a 265 ci chev S/B all sorts of st 8 Buick help around.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Thanks guys,I checked the ground strap,it was a good conection.I had oiled the cylinders and turned it over with a breaker bar prior to trying it with the starter.So....I took the cover off of the solinoid and manually depressed the contact and it engaged and did turn the engine over,so next I'll get spark and put some gas in it and see how it sounds.Thanks for the tips on the sealed rear end and the multiple carb set up,I will keep an eye out for one.I'm working on it while waiting for a 4 bbl intake from 6=8 for my 7x copy with a Dany spring adaptor for a Chevy 700r4,that sholud make the 51 super 6 brougham snort,thanks again to all of you,Dave,Oh when I complete hooking up all the wires I'm sure it will start with the key,this really is a unmolested car,no butchered wires etc.
  • mars55
    mars55 Senior Contributor
    Buick also made a four barrel manifold for the straight 8. It was used on the '53 Special I believe. This would be easier to find.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    hudson dave back to you. i got a 50 pacemaker that did the same thing mine was a stick and the cluch was stuck from siting .if it is a stick try pushing the cluch in and try starting it just a thought. hudson dave
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