Starting question from a newbie

[davethepackerfan]

Hey guys, could use use your help. Got my 81 off ebay this spring. It was pretty beat, probably a 2 or 3 bubba owner car and I have been working on and off to restore it. I installed Dynomax headers last week, followed by a Hooker exhaust, and am going to put Flowmaster delta 40's on the back. To get the headers on, I had to remove the alternator, the starter, and the clutch cross-shaft linkage. I also removed some emissions stuff, as we don't have smog testing here. I got the headers on OK, but when I reinstalled everything, it won't start . Won't even move the starter. I pulled the battery and charged it, and I took the starter to Auto Zone and it tested good. With the help of a friend, I was able to jump start it going across the terminals on the starter solenoid w/ a screwdriver. It ran rough, as the O2 sensor is out but it did run. I plan on switching to a non computerized ignition, vacuum advance distributor, and a non computer carb, a new intake and a cam. But I don't want to start this next step until I figure out the starting problem. Any ideas?
Dave

 

[81 Corvette]

did you reconnect the wires to the starter properly? thats the first place i would look.

not sure if auto's are different then sticks, but my dynomax headers went in without removing the starter or the alternator. i just removed the alternator belt and pulled the alternator towards the fender.

 

[davethepackerfan]

I think I put the wires on correctly. Small, kinda purple wire to the 'R' terminal(the small terminal that is on the engine side), and then the battery wire and another clip that has 2 wires to the main terminal. Nothing on the other small terminal.
I probably didn't need to remove the alternator, it was just easier to tighten the header bolts up. The starter also, I probably could have not removed it. I had already ordered a mini starter (no heat issues from the headers), but then the vendor said UPS sent it to the wrong address. So I tried to put the old starter back on.
The wiring looks pretty straight forward. I have a shop manual, and it says either wiring, ignition switch, or starter interrupt relay.

 

[Yoda]

Maybe an inspection of all the wiring in and around "the clutch cross-shaft linkage"... Also the clutch has a switch that requires the clutch be ingaged before it will start.

Seems to me if everything was ok before the installation of the headers, then I would wonder if it wasn't something I removed or maybe shorted to ground on the re-installation of the removed parts... Look for the obvious, check fuses, connections, esp. good ground connections.

Good Luck getting back in the saddle

Bud

 

[davethepackerfan]

Still no luck getting it started w/ out jumping the terminals. Check the clutch switch, it has been rigged closed (clutch does not have to be in to start car, thanks bubba). Rechecked wiring around the starter, it all looks good.
I'm pretty frustrated right now...ad .
Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bill81vette]

it almost sounds like you may have forgotten to hook up a wire or check your wiring on the back of the alternator..as well...you could have hooked something up wrong or backwards there as well!!good luck!!

 

[kmacpher]

just got mine too this spring.
trashed the tranny.
supposed to be a 5 hour job. took me 5 days.
on day 4 at 9pm, go to start it and nothing. just like you say.
after spending the night on the garage floor under the car in the fetal position.
I awoke and purchased a new starter.
same thing. nothing.
took the door apart & check the theft system.
double and triple checked everything.
Then i look at the back of the starter:

* 1 big ass terminal lead for battery
* 2 small terminal leads labeled "S" and "R"

"S" - stands for Starter
"R" - stands for RETARDS hook up starter here

The R is on the outside easiest to get to and S is near to the engine side. More difficult. you cant read this under the car in the dim twilight of the engine.
So I remove the positive battery and moved from R to S and voilia.
15 hours later I'm able to start the car.

You know I ran out of tranny fluid.

Check the back of your selenoid. See if you have 2 small terminals.
The replacement starter had 2 smalls and 1 large just like the one I removed.
For $30 bucks. I just left the new one on there. (I know the one I have works. So I'll just keep it for future reference.)
My 1985 chevy suburban V8-350 2bb has what looks like the same starter but it only has 1 small lead.

 

[bill81vette]

experience is what we call are mistakes... live and learn!!!


glad you found the problem!!!!!!!!!!