CVR starter wiring?

[l3n]

Aloha. I've noticed a few folks here are running the CVR high-torque mini starter - can I ask how you guys wired it? I got a 5049 a few months back as part of an overall rebuild, and it's finally time to fire 'er up, but the starter is giving me fits.

The obvious method of wiring is the two leads that are right next to each other, with the solenoid cable hooked up to the large screw, and a ground on the smaller post. For some reason that's not working for me.

On a bench test, the only sign of life is when I put the hot wire onto the post on the opposite side of the case - the one covered by a rubber bonnet. With the starter cable on the post, there's barely enough room for the retaining nut at this location.

This looks horribly wrong to me, but it was working (more on that in a second). The "correct" mounting post didn't so much as twitch on the bench test.

Assuming that my wiring is wrong, is it going to hurt anything? The reason I'm asking (and I welcome your ridicule at this point, cause I know it was stupid) is because I decided to say "screw it" and start the car with the starter wiring all hinky. She cranked the first time I hit the ignition, but the float bowl was empty, so it never turned over. The second time around, the starter spun, but it's not cranking the engine any more.

...I just killed my starter, didn't I?

 

[addo]

Is that a "piggyback" starter with the solenoid atop the starter proper, like this:



You run battery to the big terminal, and your keyswitch (start terminal) to the small one.

 

[l3n]

Is that a "piggyback" starter with the solenoid atop the starter proper, like this:



You run battery to the big terminal, and your keyswitch (start terminal) to the small one.

That looks pretty similar. Here's the exact model I'm talking about.

http://www.cvrproducts.com/protorque_starters.html


...but I'm going to have to ask for some clarification, since I just realized I might be an idiot. For some reason I assumed it would wire up the same way the oe starter did. I really wish this thing would have come with instructions or a schematic or anything.

You mean I run a cable directly from the battery to the large post, and another from the starter relay (the original starter cable) to the small post?

Thanks for your help Addo, this is the last hurdle (hopefully) before she's back on the road!

 

[addo]

You mean I run a cable directly from the battery to the large post, and another from the starter relay (the original starter cable) to the small post?

Unless they make it explicitly clear otherwise, assume the unit is self-grounded.

So, to test things out try a jumper from negative post on your spare battery, to the starter body. To accompany that, just brush the positive jumper (connected already to your battery) against the large terminal on your starter.

If there isn't even a hint of reaction, assume that these connections are meant to be hardwired.

With the positive wire jumper in place then, use a screwdriver or key to bridge across to your small extra terminal. The starter should jump and whirr into life.

Assuming that works for you, then, as surmised a heavy cable goes direct from battery to starter. The small wire is simply an extension of that which originally activated your solenoid via the keyswitch - it's now redundant. You may use it as you describe, but it isn't necessary.

 

[l3n]

Brother, you are a lifesaver. There's no way in hell I'd have figured that out on my own. I should have guessed that things might have changed a little since the 60's.


Thanks again man, you just put my girl on the road.

 

[addo]

Have you tested it to make sure it runs? Got my fingers crossed.

We've had the piggyback style starters here since about 1963. First Lucas, then Bosch. I'm actually not very familiar with the standard Ford type (only fixed a couple)!

 

[l3n]

You were spot on, that did the trick! She's not quite turning over, but everything is working the way it should.

I rebuilt or replaced virtually everything under the hood, all at the same time, so I figure there's going to be kinks to unravel before she's completely ready to go. It should just be a matter of tuning at this point (please god...)

If you're ever stateside, I definitely owe you a beer or four.


Thanks man,



Len.