Halifax trip part three - the starter motor saga...

[bevans6]

So while we were in Halifax (two updates ago) we met some young musicians from right around the corner from where we live in Ontario, with a broken down MC-5C.  They had a no-start, and maybe it was the starter motor.  They were in good hands, going off to find a bus mechanic to get some local help.

So I've been carrying a spare starter motor wrapped up in a plastic bag ever since I bought my bus, the previous owner had found it somewhere.  And yes, I felt pretty guilty for not offering to the young lads, but I knew that if I did, I'd  need it...   Yesterday, just approaching the border between New Brunswick and Maine (and if you haven't been there, think scrub pine trees and nothing but...) when the voltage gauge starter to flicker and the Not Gen light flashed.  I had just been through the losing the alternator pulley and belts thing, so I was ultra aware of that gauge!  Pulled over at next exit, turned the engine off and heard a loud whining noise from the back.  The starter motor was spinning, but not engaged - solenoid must have stuck on.  Got the hammer out, thumped it, it stopped.  Hit the starter switch, it stuck on.  Thump, hit, thump, hit, it got to where it wouldn't stick, but I didn't trust it.  I started the bus and disconnected the ground cable, tied it off, so if the solenoid vibrated on it wouldn't spin again, and carried on.  The first exit off I95 on the Maine side had an Irving truck stop and a Walmart, so I got off and parked in the truck stop.  I wandered up to the store, and they had a tire shop with a couple of mechanics working on school buses.  I asked it they would feel like changing a starter for me on my bus, since I had a spare...  Sure, back her in...  an hour and $65 later I was driving her out with the rebuilt starter installed!  How perfect is that!

Now, the rain started.  There is some big weather system in the north east, and we got wind and rain like you wouldn't believe.  I drove through torrential rain for hours today, and gusting winds up to about 40 mph.  It seems to have moved out east past where we are tonight, which is a KOA just west of Springfield Mass.  Hopefully home tomorrow!

Cheers, Brian

[bigjohnkub]

Much better than my story. Going to California from east Texas. Stopped in Albuquerque N.M.. Ready to leave no start. Shorted across starter and destroyed screwdriver. Two days later, and $865.00 Back going . Now have spare rebuilt starter in junk bay.

Big John

[bobofthenorth]

This seems like the right time for my monthly tribute to the MT39.  I have a genuine Delco MT39 strapped to the noisemaker and the Mitsubishi equivalent wrapped in plastic on one of the bays.  The first big advantage of the MT39 is that when it comes time to change it you can actually lift it in one hand leaving the other one free to put the bolts in.  The other big advantage for me has been that while my 8-92 ate 5 MT42s in the space of 2 years it ran for over 3 years on the MT39 with nary a hiccup so ease of changing it wasn't all that big an advantage.  And thanks to some information from this board the price on the Delco was really easy to swallow.

[Fred Mc]

Are there any similar solutions for us guys with left hand rotation starters?

Thanks

Fred

[Gary '79 5C]

BOTN,

Gatta ask, Did you find out the reason why the MT42's failed so often in your 8V92 ?

(5) in 2 years, you were getting your workout changing that often....

Have a great day,

Gary

[luvrbus]

I can tell you Gary a 8v92 needs a MT50 and that is one heavy sucker the 42's just don't last on that engine in a cold climate,he has a good starter now it is a reduction type and weak batteries don't affect it like the old style starters.
The older I get the better I like a MT 39 and you can buy one for a little more than a rebuilt MT42 only way to go now plus there is no core charge on a new MT39


good luck

[bobofthenorth]

Gary basically what Clifford said.  I was literally at my wits end and was seriously considering setting up some kind of system like John Deere used to have with a 12 volt run and 24 volt start.  The P.O. switched the bus from 24 volt to 12 but didn't relocate the batteries so the first thing we did was double up all the battery cables.  That helped some but we were still chewing up starters.  The 5th one never actually left me on the road because by then I could recognize the early signs of impending failure.  I wasn't prepared to start lifting the 50 series in there - that looks to me like a pit or lift is required if you are going to use one of them.

[Gary '79 5C]

Thanks guys,
The (2) extra cyl's and cold weather will make a difference I was not thinking. I have a 6V92 and head south at the forecast of cold weather so it has not affected me.
I have R&R my MT50 to replace the solenoid and used a 3/8" line to steady it out. It was one shot deal, to use my strength left arm/hand to lift into place & with the right to get the threads started top bolt. I do not think I would be doing 2X in a day.

Thanks,
Gary