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Purchased a 6 volt 50 amp hour Optima battery for my 6 cyl. When the engine was rebuilt, it was started with the same starter but 7 years ago. Not sure what battery he used. Have not started the motor since then but rotate the crankshaft by hand every month. Now the starter spins but the bendix gear will not spin out to engage the flywheel. I cleaned and re-lubricated the spiral gear and shaft but still will not spin out.

Is the issue the 50 AH battery or the starter? Handbook calls out for a 6v 100AH battery. If starter, what can I do to get the bendix to engage.

After the cleaning and lube, did you put the starter back on the car to test, or just apply current while it was still on the bench?

I had the starter tested and the battery tested. Both were good. Went back to the battery cable ground post and cleaned the frame where it connected and reattached. Everything worked great. Starter turned the motor over fine. It was just a poor ground. Had enough to spin the starter but not good enough to start the car(throw the bendix gear into the flywheel). Now on to the next issue, missing drive shaft universal joint gasket bushings.

Bob; I have some extra u-joints, what part do u need. Picture?