1980 m813 starting issues

[serpico760]

Been trying to turn over this thing for a while with the nh250 somebody tell me it's it a bad starter seems like the solenoid is engaging but perhaps the motor isn't trying to turn.
.The oil has been drained and the injectors have been pulled we were suspecting hydrolock perhaps but I guess that doesn't seem to be the case

 

[Superthermal]

my 2Cents...
I think I can hear the starter engaging but I don't hear the starter actually sound like it goes under load. Maybe to diagnose it you could put an amp clamp on the main power cable going to the starter to see what kind of amps it is drawing to know if it is actually under load trying to start the motor. If you don't have an amp clamp you may be able to measure the voltage of the battery pack to see how much the voltage drops when the starter engages.
If the motor is locked up that would suck. Could be a few other things to try but that is the first thing I would look at.

 

[US6x4]

Does the engine bar over by hand? And the battery is connected for 24 volts?

 

[WillWagner]

Does the engine bar over by hand? And the battery is connected for 24 volts?

^^^This. If it is locked up, no starter you put on it will make it spin.

If it will not turn in normal rotation, try turning it backwards.

 

[serpico760]

Does the engine bar over by hand? And the battery is connected for 24 volts?

Last time we tried to rotate the engine with the breaker bar we were unsuccessful. My friend the owner thought it may be hydrolocked and he pulled the injectors and drained the oil. We will try again with the breaker bar. I lent him two of the batteries from my FMTV, hooked them up properly, lights and buzzer and all other functions seem to work properly. Starter would make a thunk as if solenoid engaging but didn't seem to rotate.

 

[Joe Bertram]

My 816 made sounds like that when I had a bad ground to the frame battery cable. It finally showed it's face with some sparks is how I located it

 

[WillWagner]

Last time we tried to rotate the engine with the breaker bar we were unsuccessful. My friend the owner thought it may be hydrolocked and he pulled the injectors and drained the oil. We will try again with the breaker bar.

Try turning it reverse rotation.

 

[G744]

The Bendix may be jammed in the flywheel. This can cause the starter to spin very fast last time it was running, then throw some windings and lock up.

 

[Jbulach]

Engine should turn quite easy with the injectors out, usually by hand. Also checking the starter for drawing high amps does not always confirm the starter is good.

 

[serpico760]

How big of a job is it to remove the starter in that?

 

[G744]

No worse than holding an 80lb bag of concrete mix over your head, while getting 3 bigassed bolts out...

 

[msgjd]

1: After my first time pulling one and putting another back in by myself the "normal" way (never again) . all 855 cummins' i've dealt with since , commercial and military, i made a jig out of a length of 3/4" heavywall pipe and small pulley that rolls along the pipe .. tuck one end onto a "shelf" somewhere and have soldier B hold the other end while you rope the starter to the pully hook and loosen bolts .. then you just roll the starter out, and back in again .. soldier B gets to hold the reduced weight

2: To supplement everyone who suggest you bar the engine over backwards or forwards, the easiest way is put the transfer in neutral, tranny in 4th, and put a bar in a jackshaft yoke (be careful of grease fitting)

3: If you don't already know, never try to tow-start (or even turn over) an engine with suspected hydrostatic lock

 

[MilesWorx]

No worse than holding an 80lb bag of concrete mix over your head, while getting 3 bigassed bolts out...

I'm just strong enough and dumb enough to do that.

 

[MilesWorx]

Howdy everyone, thanks for the great advice. I finally have time to work on my truck tomorrow and begin troubleshooting.

I'll try baring over the engine tomorrow and seeing if it's seized. Then I'll scrutinize the starter and potentially bring it back with me to MT to get rebuilt. Then I'll probably have to pay a diesel mech to reinstall my injectors/lash. I'm in high hopes I can eventually drive the old beast home where he'll be much loved, admired, and worked like these venerable old steel veterans deserve.

 

[MilesWorx]

1: After my first time pulling one and putting another back in by myself the "normal" way (never again) . all 855 cummins' i've dealt with since , commercial and military, i made a jig out of a length of 3/4" heavywall pipe and small pulley that rolls along the pipe .. tuck one end onto a "shelf" somewhere and have soldier B hold the other end while you rope the starter to the pully hook and loosen bolts .. then you just roll the starter out, and back in again .. soldier B gets to hold the reduced weight

I'm too dumb and not enough time to make that work. Really dang slick idea though. You should design and patent a starter removal tool!!