YotaJunky

Hi all,

I've got sporadic crunching noises coming from below. I know it's not the starter because it was pulled, checked and cleaned. I've been told that it may be the way the starter engages the flywheel. It doesn't seem to be a starter to flywheel shim issue either, because from my limited understanding, the crunching noises are sporadic and not consistent. I estimate that the loud crunching noises occur about once every 10 to 30 starts, but I would characterize it as being more sporadic. Whether the engine is warmed up or cold does not seem to be the issue either.

Any suggestions?

gwhayduke

I'm wondering if your flywheel teeth are chewed up a little and your chewing sound only happens when the engine stops with that section of the flywheel lined up with your starter.

YotaJunky

Yup - I think that's what I'm leaning toward also, because it doesn't happen all the time. I removed my starter about 2 weeks ago and the driving gear on the starter looked fine. I could also see part of the flywheel that was in place without the starter attached and it looked fine. That doesn't mean other teeth on the flywheel are not damaged. I'm wondering if this is going to be a safety issue or lead to more problems. My friend, the mechanic, did not think so and just told me to have the flywheel inspected when I change my clutch. I've got about 125k miles on it so far and it still grabs nicely, so I don't anticipate changing it out in the near future.

Does anyone have thoughts about this being a safety issue or leading to bigger problems?

gwhayduke

If it ever gets to where it won't crank, park on hills, put 'er in neutral, give 'er a shove and pop the clutch. I've been real glad I drove a clutch a few times.

YotaJunky

Haven't done a push start yet, and I hope I won't have to. It's good to know that it's an option with a manual tranny rather than being stranded with an automatic.

gwhayduke

I used to have a '66 Sunbeam Alpine with those wonderful Lucas electrical components. It came with an engine crank that got used anytme I was on a flat surface.

YotaJunky

I didn't know what a Sunbeam Alpine was. My first impression was that it was a 5th wheel or something huge, and then I wondered how you could push start it...lol... Then I looked it up on the net, and it looks like something right out of the Jetson's. Sweet. I was surprised to see so many owner's clubs for that car. Must be a classic. Engine crank sure would come in handy if you can't push start!!

gwhayduke

Yep it was a fun car till it made me pee my pants comin' down a mountain road and the rear end decided to jump a couple feet to one side on a curve. The one I always wanted was the Sunbeam Tiger...same car but with a 260 or 289 Ford. Poor man's Cobra.

YotaJunky

lol... I'd be doing more than peeing my pants if that happened to me, especially if there wasn't anything beyond the side on a curve!!!