454 Engine not turning

[FORMULA1]

Hello i have a 454 engine carburated. i tried turning it on today and a crank crank noise came from the starter area. it turned over once then it shut off . i tried turning it on again and i heard the starter making noise but the engine is not turning! does anyone have an idea what this my be? could it be the starter that broke its gear on the flywheel? it is a high compression engine bored 30 over. about 400 hp. it has broken starters in the past.but this starter is fairly new.i even tried to move the starter to see if it maybe was lose or something. but its pretty solid on the block. pease help thanks.

 

[lindb40530]

Re: 454 Engine not turning

Could be the teeth on the flywheel gave out.....

 

[FORMULA1]

Re: 454 Engine not turning

Teeth on the flywheel. i have never heard of that happening. are you speaking from experience?

 

[rattana]

Re: 454 Engine not turning

Can you turn it over with a flex bar on the front of the crank? Will it turn over with the sparkplugs out?

 

[Skipster1]

Re: 454 Engine not turning

The noise you describes sounds like a solenoid failing or the battery is weak .<br /> Both of which could happen with a high compression engine boosted to 400hp.<br />You say you have "broken starters in the past" and that seems to confirm my notion.<br />If you boost the engine to that kind of power and compression you need a starter (and battery) that can turn over that engine so you MUST also upgrade the battery and starter to heavy duty.<br />I doubt seriously that "teeth have been broken" is the problem ... in three decades of working on engines I have yet to see that happen... even tho the idea always crops up.<br />Start by replacing the battery with a much bigger (amp rating) one. <br />If that doesn't do it, get a heavy duty starter. <br />That's my guess .......

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: 454 Engine not turning

I have a small block version of what you have. One time the same thing happened. Took starter off and tested it. Worked fine. Put back on and worked the rest of the season. I found that the holes in the starter were bigger then the bolt that held it on. Just that tiny bit of movement jammed it against the flywheel when it tried to engage. If you did burn up another starter you may want to think about a starter with a lower gear ratio for high compression motors.

 

[FORMULA1]

Re: 454 Engine not turning

Thanks guys i got it fixed!! it was that the starter bolt was lose and it made my starter out of alignment!! i go it running!! much thanks to all of you for the great info!!!<br /><br /><br /> keep posting!<br /><br /> willie

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: 454 Engine not turning

God it feels good to be semi right about something's, sometimes. <br />(you would understand if you knew what kind of a boating year I have had)