Re: starting 47 super 8

Posted by HH56 On 2015/3/1 18:17:55

The starter is operated by the accelerator if the car is in stock condition. You should see a black plastic oval shaped object with two wire terminals mounted on the carburetor. That is the starter switch. Pushing the accelerator all the way to the floor will activate it.

If it is the senior 356 engine with Autolite solenoid covering two thirds of the starter motor the starter switch operates a small relay in the solenoid assy to bring in the solenoid. The solenoid both starts the motor turning and also pulls in a linkage so the pinion is placed in mesh with the flywheel. If your solenoid is a large cylinder with a rectangular box on the end that is the mechanical engage type. The two small wire terminals toward top of rectangle are the start switch and ground connections.

The other engines have a small regular looking solenoid and Bendix setup so if the solenoid is coming in to start the motor but no engagement there is something mechanical going on.

Again, if it is the senior engine with large Autolite starter and still stock there may be a sort of safety circuit in the starting switch setup. That can cause issues so something else to look at if you get no action at all from starter switch. The start relay gets power via the starter switch but its ground is brought out to the regulator and continues via the generator armature circuit to find ground thru the generator windings. That circuit prevents the starter from accidentally engaging if the engine is running and generator is producing voltage. Unfortunately, It also prevents the starter from working if the generator or regulator is out or in need of repair or if the relay solenoid circuit is not able to get a ground because of a bad or disconnected wire.

Kanter Auto should have reproduction manuals but until you get one you can download a manual from the literature section on site.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/47Manual.pdf There is a considerable amount of other 46-7 (21st series) service and sales info in the literature section freely available for download.