Hi guys, newb here with a first post and a question. (I'm sure that never happens... )

I just acquired a new to me '89 F150 4x4 with the 6cyl. I was looking for a work truck on Craigslist and this one caught my eye because the price was right. It seems the po was driving it, things were acting fine (so he says), then he comes to a light and it cuts off. When he goes to restart all he gets is a click. He pushes it into a parking lot and posts an ad on CL. Enter me. I look the truck over and decide its worth the $ even if I have to put an engine in it, I buy it and have it towed home. The next day I go out with sandpaper, wrenches, and a rubber mallet. Starter was stuck on the flywheel. 10 minutes later the truck starts right up, BUT... has a bad engine rattle. Initially I thought the starter was still engaged and rattling, but now I'm not so sure. I guess what I'm looking for is a starting point and process to figure out what the problem is. Here is a link to a video I just made, hopefully it helps.
http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i6...t=VID00017.flv

A few points: The engine oil looks good, not new but plenty on the stick and not cloudy or black. The antifreeze looks good also. The oil pressure gauge doesn't work, so I have no idea whether I have pressure or not. I have been scared to run it much, but it starts on the first crank every time & idles fine.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions.

 

I just replace the flexplate and starter on mine caue the bendix drive was hanging up in there. Its tough to tell the sound from the video but that is what it sounds like. A starter is pretty cheap but the flexplate/flywheel is most likely causing the problem - the teeth are shot.
If you crawl under there while its making the noise you should easily be able to pinpoint the noise if its the starter.

 

that noise is the starter bendix. it's cheaper time wise to just replace the srater with a GOOD quality starter look at the teeht on the fly whhel after starter removal you will need to rotate the engine manually to look at all the teeth if all ok hang a new starter call it a day

 

Just to be sure hook a test tight up to the hot post on the starter. If it is still getting power after starting it could be either the solenoid or the actuall ingintion switch sticking. Maybe the key is staying stuck on crank.

 

Man I hope that's all it is. It sure sounds like it is near the starter but it's hard to tell. Due to a certain upcoming holiday, I haven't had a chance to play with it much, but I will on Sat. I'll check the hot lead for power after starting (thanks for that tip) and if none yank the starter. Hopefully it hasn't damaged the flywheel because I really don't want to have to pull the trans anytime soon.

Thanks again for the replies & Merry Christmas!

 

Ok, I pulled the starter today and really didn't see anything wrong with it. The gear seems to spring back like it is designed to, and really doesn't have any rust or wear on it. I inspected the flywheel completely, and while a few teeth have a (little) bit of wear on the front, none are broken or otherwise damaged. I did find half a lockwasher in there where the starter was.

I also checked power to the starter, it's normal- no power when not cranking.

Doesn't it seem like with that much noise there should be obvious problems, or am I just thinking too much? Could it be a broken timing gear or something internal?? I'm heading to NAPA this afternoon to pick up a new starter.

 

TEST THE STARTER IF YOU HAVE JUMPER CABLES AND A GOOD BATTERY OR BATTERY CHARGER GROUND THE STARTER AND MONETARILY TAP THE SOLINIOD POST WITH THE POSTIVE END OF THE JUMPER THE BENDIX SHOULD KICK OUT and return ...sorry for the caps didn't want to retype..

 

That half of a lockwasher is actuall a C clip that holds some other other washer in the nose cone of the starter. It was tossed out by the engine spinning the bendix drive to fast. Put another starter in and it will do it again. If the key is not staying on start or teh starter is not still getting power for some other reason then its the ring gear. that is what is toast.

 

Well, it wasn't the starter. I installed a reman NAPA starter & it was still making the noise. I pulled the belt off and checked all the pulleys, then started the engine without the belt- noise still there. I let it idle for a few minutes and then noticed this goo dripping out underneath:






I assume it is coolant and oil and that I either have a hole in the block somewhere or ???

Guess that brings me back to my orignal question and I think I know the answer now.

 

It is toast. The head is most likely cracked, but at least a blown head gasket.