Ward la France Wrecker Starter problem

[royrob]

Hi

Am a volunteer at the National Army Museum Waiouru New Zealand. We have a Ward la France wrecker which has a 6/71 GM diesel which I would believe have come from a x WW2 Valentine Tank.

Problem?

Delco Remy starter Model 109308 Serial 2607 System Y Voltage 24v

For some time the starter has never seemed to "boggie" ie spin at a expected 'vroom".

Starter removed and dismantled 6 x 2 brush set found to be passed its use by date.

Brushes replaced usual tests carried out, growler on the armature, earth leakage on the field coils, comutator all good, mica cleared between laminations, etc, etc. All good. new brushes fitted. When tested rotation slugish, fireworks sparkler type display visible from brushes / comutator. Test run for odd 30 sec when dismantled carbon arcing buildup on comutator. Starter dismantled, retested, complete new set of 24v brushes installed just to be sure. Same result. Starter taken to old school auto electrician with bottom line same results. He had no ideas as to the problem.

This starter may well be like Grandfathers axe, 3 new heads and 7 new handles but it's still the same axe!!!!

Have checked a later model Delco starter of the same family. Noted difference is that the later starter whilst still having the 6x 2 brush set has 27 segments on the comutator the one in question has 25 segments. Is this the problem? Thinking allowed perhaps the armature is from a 12 volt starter????

Any suggestions???????????????????????????

Roy Robinson

[01ec28]

You mention excessive sparking on commutator. Has the comm been burnished with a canvas block to establish a good patina? Not sure about the 25vs 27,12v 24v. Past overcranking can throw the solder from the winding to comm connection, was this in good shape? Sluggish you say, the field windings weren't grounded but could some of them be shorted together? Usually happens in conjuction with to ground, but I've seen both. We used to have a drill press airimpact to remove the winding screws on the outside, but if that stripped the heads (usually they were flat or phillips), a center punch on angle at the outside edge of the screw with a good hammer does the trick, making sure to start a decent recess before you go to a steep angle. Messes the heads a bit though. Just my two cents.

drew

Edited December 20, 2011 by 01ec28