Starter won't engage first try but engages after that

[70golddart]

New member here. Hope someone can help. I have a starter that decides to engage AFTER spinning in the middle of the first try. This is tearing up my flywheel. On the second try and later, the starter works fine. Anyone got an idea what it might be? Usually happens in colder weather. Hoping I can avoid changing the starter since I have a 489 and headers crammed into a 70 dart. THANKS FOR ANY HELP!

 

[Cranky]

How old is the starter and is it a mini starter or an original size? And welcome to the site!

 

[davek]

welcome and

 

[91r/t]

Is the bendix free? Between being cold which usually makes things stickier and the fact it works once spinning makes me think the bendix might be gummed up or sticking.

 

[Ranger16]

Hoping I can avoid changing the starter since I have a 489 and headers crammed into a 70 dart.

I don't think you are going to get that lucky.

 

[70golddart]

Thanks for the welcome and the fast response. It is a mini starter like the ones that come on the 92 or so Dakota. I think it's about 6 years old. The bendix works fine AFTER the first try. On the first try the bendix dosen't want to come out until after it's already spinning.

 

[Don Frelier]

The clutch assembly is likely getting hung on the pinion shaft.
You can try and clean and lubricate the shaft.
The shaft may be worn as well, in that case you need a new shaft and a rebuild or a new starter.
Welcome from NY

 

[dadsbee]

Well if your installer was lazy like the guy that did the Dart I just bought, you've got a wide open window to spray that bendix with some lube...

 

[70golddart]

I will try to lube up and free up the bendix with the starter installed because I have a window like dadsbee shows above. Glad I got on here to get everyone's advice. Thanks 91r/t, Don Frelier and dadsbe for the input and EVERYONE for the welcome! By the way, I'm pretty new to this, got the car about a year ago (previous owner put the big block in it about 6 years ago) but I'm definitely hooked on making this thing run right.

 

[Don Frelier]

Running it without the inspection dust cover may be why it's getting hung up.
Keep us posted.

 

[70golddart]

Running it without the inspection dust cover may be why it's getting hung up.
Keep us posted.

Will do. I'll get a cover on there too!

 

[davek]

Well if your installer was lazy like the guy that did the Dart I just bought, you've got a wide open window to spray that bendix with some lube...
View attachment 1043914

Wayne how did miss that when you were looking at the car?

 

[Cranky]

Wayne how did miss that when you were looking at the car?

I might have missed that too. Almost need a lift to inspect everything and speaking of that, I passed on a 68 340 Dart years ago when the owner wouldn't let me take it (with him with me) to a shop to put it on a lift. Told him that I liked the car a lot but imo, you're hiding something......and he said nothing to that so I walked away.

 

[davek]

We all miss stuff,we cant catch everything.I had 2 friends looking at my Bee for me and they both missed stuff.

 

[dadsbee]

Wayne how did miss that when you were looking at the car?

I bought the Dart based on a "walk by" a month previously when it was still a customers in for service and "not for sale". I bought it 8 minutes after it was listed for sale, via email from 4 hours away! Wasn't missing another '69 Dart and knew I'd be tearing it apart anyhow. Rob sent me a converter cover gracious...

 

[davek]

I bought the Dart based on a "walk by" a month previously when it was still a customers in for service and "not for sale". I bought it 8 minutes after it was listed for sale, via email from 4 hours away!

Probably still sitting at the shop on a bench with my Fender tag.

 

[Johnpat]

Looks like stater time again,no way around it