Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

1947 Packard 356: this 4052 starter cranks the engine fine, but makes a terrible noise when the engine fires, like it's pushing against the flywheel, when the drive should be thrown clear. We took the starter completely apart: everything looks good. Relay points were cleaned and set to .030.

I've played with carb starter switch and set against another good 356. The flywheel teeth look OK. Any ideas?

Disconnect the carb started switch and use a bump switch to start it. If it does the same thing, then either the solenoid is sticking (starter keeps running) or there is something wrong with the bendix that is keeping it from being disengaged.

The 4052 doesn't use a Bendix gear. I'd first check to see if the springs are retracting the gear as it should (pull the cover off the cylinder mechanism and watch it). I had a problem where the starter (4052) would keep running after the engine started. It turned out to be a short in the wiring from the carburetor starter switch. It doesn't sound like that's your problem.