Destroyed My Starter

Good morning,
Last week was cold, and I was out trying to get the CJ5 (F134) up and running. Up until this point, she’s ran wonderfully; only needs a few cranks with the key to get fired up. But this particularly cold morning, it would try to fire, but couldn’t quite make it. Just enough to spin the starter back down. Next thing you know, there’s a large puff of smoke up through the carb while cranking, and the most horrendous metal breaking noise. Turns out, she fired at the wrong time while the starter was still engaged. Starter was turning one way, ring gear was going the other way. Starter lost.

The timing I’ve been running on did not move. Now, it was cold (near freezing)... so maybe things needed to be advanced slightly. Also, I had recently added Lucas additive oil to the crankcase. You know, the thick-as-honey stuff. Could this have caused sticky valves? Or was it the weather that brought out the retarded timing I’ve been running on?

Either way, had the starter rebuilt (again) and she fired right up. Luckily no permanent damage done.

 

I'd suggest checking/replacing the points, and then set timing to spec.

 

Well the dizzy has a Pertronix pickup, and an MSD ignition box too. I had set the timing in the middle of summer with a vacuum gauge, but I’m thinking it wasn’t advanced enough for year-round starting.

My first thought was that the Lucas oil screwed me up. Especially with this cold weather. Truth is, I don’t even need it... was just wanting to quiet that tapping noise a bit. It’s quite normal for an f head to be a tapper, correct?

 

If your valve clearances are set correctly, there should be little to no tapping noise. Have you checked the clearances and/or adjusted the valves recently?
The exhaust valve tappets are under a plate behind the exhaust manifold; a little imconvenient to get to. They require two slim wrenches. The intake valve adjustment is a bit easier at the rockers under the top valve cover.
-Donny

 

Look very closely at this picture in your first post (exploded view) and you can see where the shaft has turned blue from heat under the bendix gear teeth. This normally is caused by the starter being engaged while the engine is running. I would check all the wiring and switch for the starter circuit or you will likely find this happening again.

 

That would surprise me, but I will absolutely check to make sure everything is operating correctly. All wiring is new, but the switch is the Chinese universal type. I’ve always been very suspect on their “quality”. Anyone recommend a USA keyed ignition switch?

 

Pollack made the original switches, at least in the 1960's through the mid-'70s. These are often still available in aftermarket packaging. I got lucky getting one from RockAuto a few years back. When I reordered another one, it was Taiwan junk.
-Donny