Thread: Starting problems 68 TBird

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Hopefully you guys and gals can help. My husband and I are purchasing this car but it has some starting problems. We are not not even remotely automobile mechanics (I am a pilot but am used to working on VW's (a little), and he is a med proffessional used to working on people).

Here are the symptoms and attempts and I would appreciate any help you are willing to give.

Car won't start, changed battery. Still won't start, replaced alternator and starter relay. (The vacuum advance is not hooked up) Would jump start twice but now voltage on battery is 0 and will not jump start. Should we replace the starter?

If more info is needed please ask and I will try to give!

Thank you!

1969 Thunderbird, not 68 sorry.

The starter may be shorted out inside but not likely. Disconnect the battery and charge it up again, if you don't have a battery load tester, take it in to your local Auto Zone (or equivalent) and have it tested. Replace the batt. If needed, if the battery is good for sure, then I can walk you through the next step of testing to fix your problem.

Originally posted by blackcadillac
The starter may be shorted out inside but not likely. Disconnect the battery and charge it up again, if you don't have a battery load tester, take it in to your local Auto Zone (or equivalent) and have it tested. Replace the batt. If needed, if the battery is good for sure, then I can walk you through the next step of testing to fix your problem.

Sorry I wasn't more detailed in my above post. That was actually the first thing that was done. Shop said battery was good.

that is what we are working on... I am trying to help because I would really love to see it driving... with me in it!!!!

(Besides it will broaden my limited knowledge of "real" cars)

Do you have a multi meter? If so put it on the Pos and Neg sides of the battery, have someone crank the car. If voltage of batt. Drops more than 1.5 volts during cranking, replace starter. I would inspect, tighten and clean connection of cable at the starter first though.

Always a good idea but, a good batt will not lose all of its voltage if it wasn't grounded. The voltage loop has to be intact for this to happen.

Originally posted by blackcadillac
Do you have a multi meter? If so put it on the Pos and Neg sides of the battery, have someone crank the car. If voltage of batt. Drops more than 1.5 volts during cranking, replace starter. I would inspect, tighten and clean connection of cable at the starter first though.

(My father inlaw gave the same advice you did)

According to the PO this has already been done. He said it dropped more than 1.5 volts.

So it looks like the starter is going to have to be replaced. So is it a do it yourself job or mechanic job... It looks pretty big....

Does the exhaust have to be removed? I am looking at the right part correct? Under passenger side fender?

F.I.L. says try to replace the solenoid first any seconds on that motion?

You had said in an earlier post that you had replaced the starter relay. This is a term used for the Starter Solenoid Switch it's located just behind the battery and bolted to the inner fender. Did you replace this Item? If yes, then you have already replaced the solenoid. I am assuming you have the most common engine for a Thunderbird in 68, a 390? The 390, 428, and 427 FE engines will have a Solenoid like I have just described, if you have a 429 the solenoid will be on the starter like a GM. If this is the case, Buy a Starter w/solenoid already attached, it will save you a headache.
Either way you should do it yourself. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN! You should not have to take the exhaust down unless someone has made a change in the exhaust routing. If you do have the 429, make sure that you disconnect the batter first.

The Ford solenoid looks like this:

The PO (really still current owner) replaced the starter relay. All I know is my FIL asked if the solenoid had been replaced. He used to own a 67'.

I will go shopping for a starter w/ solenoid. Any recommendations on a good reference mechanic's book (bible for the 429 Thunderjet) ?

I will do it myself, I am not scared


I will keep you guys posted!

does the motor turn over? I don't recall you stating that.
If it DOES NOT turn over, put a wrench (socket and ratchet actually) on crank pulley on front of engine and make sure the engine turns over a full 360 degrees. If it does not, you need an engine.

If the engine is cranking over and not starting, have you checkd for spark? what do the points look like? plugs?

How long ago did the car run? Old gas can cause problems.

Batt going flat could be voltage regulator - i am pretty sure this vintgage car had a mechanical regulator that would be bolted to rad support. could be corroded, etc.