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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1955 Hudson Rambler won't turn over

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Expert: - 10/3/2010


Question
I have a 1955 Hudson Rambler Cross Country with a 196 L-head negative ground system. When I tried to start it I only got a clicking sound from the starter. I replaced the solenoid and I pulled the starter and it works fine. I checked the volts and on the battery side of the solenoid I have 6V but on the starter side I am only getting 3V. I did try to jump the starter directly from the battery but it still did not turn over the engine. Could you let me know what else I could check to get it to turn over. Thanks.

Answer
I afraid to mention it but you may have a seized engine. Try turning the engine over with a wrench on the front pulley. If the engine turns over then we have a bad solenoid or defective cables or connections. Have you checked the voltage on the battery side of the solenoid with the starter trying to turn the engine? Let me know and we will go from there.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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