Sticking starter or not?

[charlie travis]

Hi
I have an intermittent problem with what I thought was a sticking starter. There was on occasion a click from the starter but could get it to start by rocking forward in gear and the turning the key.
New starter was ordered and fitted with some success but then the problem was back. I contacted the supplier who sent out a replacement this was fitted yesterday and the problem is still there. Possibly this time the noise is more of a clunk but will still start by putting into gear rocking forward and turning the key.
This is an intermittent problem but is becoming more frequent.
Any advice would me much appreciated. Oh by the way this is on a 1977 2.0l bay.

[busdaddy]

Welcome!
Could be a few different things, most likely it's a bad connection on one or both ends of the ground strap between the nose of the transmission and the torsion housing, rocking the bus wiggles things enough to restore contact temporarily.
Another possibility is engagement with the flywheel, but 2 different starters don't usually do that, and you don't mention any grinding or whirring noises so I'm betting on a dirty ground somewhere.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[SGKent]

also check all the engine to transmission bolts for tightness.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Wildthings]

Make sure you have good clean connections at the battery. The black corrosion on the posts and inside the cable ends is not conductive. You can clean in insides of the cable ends to clean metal with a pen knife and clean the posts with a wire brush. Coat the contact surfaces with Vasoline prior to reassembly and smear more on after the cables are reinstalled.

If you have the junky replacement style cable ends designed for temporary use, now is the time to replace them with new cables. Consider going up a gauge size or two on your new cables, as an extra half volt at the starter can make a big difference on how fast the engine cranks.

[TomWesty]

When Busdaddy says transmission ground strap, it’s best to listen. Also, the body end of the ground cable from the battery should be disconnected from time to time and the body metal and cable cleaned. A ton of current goes through that connection. Is your clutch cable needing adjustment more often than usual? That’s an indication of bad tranny ground strap connection as well.
_________________
If you haven't bled on them, you haven't worked on them.
Visit: www.tomcoryell.com and check out my music!