Montego Update!

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562) 08/18/2016 at 12:32 • Filed to: MERCURY, MONTEGO, CYCLONE, PROJECT, UPDATE, 302 WON'T START

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Alright, a lot of you may know I’m planning to sell the Montego now. Which is sad but it’s opening up a space in the garage for a rally X car which is going to be all kinds of fun.

So on Sunday the Porsche Tamer himself, K-Roll, stopped down and was helping me try and get it going.

1968 Mercury Montego MX, 2014 Focus ST, and 2007 Mercury Milan - FoMoCo Party!

We failed.

After spending about 30 minutes trying to jump it with both the Milan, the FoST, and even a friendly neighbors booster pack wouldn’t get it to even attempt a turn over. With the battery tender on I could tell I was almost at 80% battery which should have been more than enough to start it.

I pulled the starter off and went to Advance - it failed. OK order me a new one, I’ll pick it up tomorrow.

1968 Mercury Montego MX Starter Install

Fast forward to Tuesday night when I installed the new Starter. Put in new starter, hook everything up nice and easy (It’s only 2 bolts and a wire). Turn the key and....nothing. Shit. Turn the key about 50 times....nothing.

As I was about to give up my wife came out side to see how it was going. I told her it was still dead, nothing was working. I said I’ll try one more time then I’ll push it back in and come inside. Turned the key and I heard the tiniest attempt to turn over. We both looked at each other and said “that’s promising.” So I tried again and after cranking for a few minutes (and me stopping to give it a break) then cranking again it fired up! For the first time in almost a year it was running.

Older Picture, but it looks exactly the same on ramps.

Alright here we are at Wednesday night now. I pick up some antifreeze and a nice over sized funnel and I’m going to try and burp the radiator and get all the air out, I’m hoping this’ll solve the overheating issue. Turn the key to start it so I can put it up on ramps so I can get the radiator as the highest point. Moment of truth - and it starts up faster than my modern Mercury Milan. It was instant and running.

So I get the radiator side of things all ready to go and I’m going to turn it on to make sure I’m set and....nothing. Won’t start. Back to the not even trying to turn over. No chance, no luck, nothing. Ended up having to push off ramps and push back into garage.

Any thoughts on what it could be? I’m thinking maybe Distributor Cap/Rotor? I’ve never updated that on the car. Giving I’m trying to sell it do we think I should upgrade to a better one or just leave it stock? I doubt I’ll re-coup my costs by upgrading. I’m trying to find and fix this problem cheaply and quickly to get it listed so I can shop for a Rally X car.

Engine pic just because it’s fun - 302 V8

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 12:41

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I think we need to schedule a public shaming for you for selling.

On the starting issue, have you nailed it down to ignition or fuel? Vapor lock or partial pump failure or crap in the carb (BIG TIME) could be a thing, but so could partly bad points or a condenser or dizzy cap. See if applying carb cleaner to the intake gets you firing. Also, an inline spark tester is like $20 at O’Reilly.

Sweet Trav > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 12:41

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Starter solenoid. Most old fords have them on the firewall.

Nothing > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 12:42

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My issue that will be fixed today was an alternator issue. Not the alternator itself, but the harness. I had 2 points of connection that were down to a single strand of wire connected. I had already picked up a reman alternator, so that will go on as well at lunch. Are you even getting a “click” when you turn the key?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nothing 08/18/2016 at 12:43

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nope nada. Like as if the battery wasn’t even in the car.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 08/18/2016 at 12:45

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I fully understand the shaming. Trust me.

I can’t imagine it’s anything other than ignition/electrical.

The carb is only 2 years passed a full rebuild. and I’m not even getting a click. It’s like there’s not even a battery in the car. When it does start - starts RIGHT UP.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Sweet Trav 08/18/2016 at 12:46

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Fascinating. I’ll have to look into this one. Thanks man

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 12:51

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First point - ethanol gas pisses on your “x past a full rebuild”. It fucked up my carb on the Rover but good in about a year. That being said, that sounds like master ignition circuit woes. I assumed when you were talking about not turning over that you meant it in the usual (wrong) sense of no firing, not “the starter doesn’t even click”.

Check your main lead to the ignition switch, check switch continuity through to its various positions. Do it.

Edit: could also be the solenoid - check that first as it’s easier.

Needmoargarage > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 12:54

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If it’s not even trying to turn over I’d say starter solenoid or problem with the wiring...possibly even a bad ground. Try jiggling starter system wiring around while having someone turn the key and see if it changes behavior.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 08/18/2016 at 12:55

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Yeah, I suppose that should happen before buying any more parts.

At least the start DID fail so it’s not like that was a bad investment.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Needmoargarage 08/18/2016 at 12:59

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yeah it’s as if it doesn’t have a battery in the car. I think I’m going to have to get a buddy over again to turn the key while I chase stuff.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Sweet Trav 08/18/2016 at 13:10

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Actually, now that I’m using my brain I jumped the connection over the solenoid with a screwdriver trying to get it to turn over, and nothing happened. I used to do that when my neutral safety switch went bad.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Needmoargarage 08/18/2016 at 13:12

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So I actually jumped the solenoid, now that I’m using my brain, and it still wouldn’t even attempt to start.

RallyWrench > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 13:15

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It won’t even crank? Are you getting a good 12V to the starter?

Viking03 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 13:23

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If it’s not cranking at all, I’m solidly in the camp of starter solenoid or wiring. For the wiring check your main power cables on both ends connected to the battery. Also, how dare you sell this.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Viking03 08/18/2016 at 13:29

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So I should update above, I jumped the solenoid and went power direct to the starter, nothing. I used to do that when the neutral safety switch had gone bad. I wonder if it’s a bad ground now...

And unfortunately I’m never going to have as much fun taking the Montego to cruises and car shows as I will taking a rally car racing. Wanna buy it?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RallyWrench 08/18/2016 at 13:30

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Won’t even crank. I don’t have a multimeter but I do have a test light. I tried jumping the solenoid with a screw driver, a trick i once used when the neutral safety switch went bad on me.

Got nothing. Maybe a bad ground?

Viking03 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 13:46

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If you sent the power directly to the starter and it is grounded properly, maybe you got a bad starter from store. It has happened to me a couple of times with older vehicles. Verify the ground, and if its good, you should take the starter in to get checked.

Yes I want to buy it, but I’m about to put my Beck Spyder up for sale as well since the Charger is coming home. Out of room and money.

RallyWrench > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 13:51

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The starter grounds to the block, that shouldn’t be a problem unless the new unit is painted on the base. Bad battery or solenoid ground, maybe. It’s not that the engine is harder to turn than it should be, right? It’s been sitting, but I doubt it’d lock up like that in only a year.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RallyWrench 08/18/2016 at 13:59

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No like I said it’s ran twice. It ran tuesday night and it fired RIGHT UP last night. I feel like I have a bad connection somewhere that’s maybe coming lose. which would explain the inconsistent sometimes starts great or doesn’t start at all. Even if it was my distributor or my ignition coil the starter should at least be trying to turn over shouldn’t it?

Needmoargarage > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 14:16

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So at least you know it’s not that. You can always just use a test light (or cheap multimeter) to start chasing current from the battery to the starter. Do it now while there is a break in the circuit...it will be tricky to track down once it’s running.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Needmoargarage 08/18/2016 at 14:25

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Yeah that makes sense.

I’m guessing it’s not the new starter because I’m basically in the same situation as before.

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 15:26

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Don’t guess it’s not the starter cause reading through this I’m betting it is. Would not be the first parts store starter to be a dud.

Put your test light on the starter. If it lights up rip that puppy out and go chew out the parts store... Or just nicely ask for a replacement if you're more patient than me

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2 08/18/2016 at 15:28

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I’d just be very surprised because when it tries to start it sure as hell starts.

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 15:30

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I know a guy who went through 3 parts store starters before getting a good one.

You can try the old redneck trick of whacking the starter with a mallet while trying to start it. If that works it's a bad starter.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2 08/18/2016 at 15:41

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Hahahahaha, yeah that’s always a good one. Need a buddy for that one.

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 16:05

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If you’re impatient you could run a jumper cable from the battery and tap it to the starter with one hand and hammer it with the other. That eliminates half the wiring too. You can touch the hot elsewhere on the starter and see sparks to pretty reliably check its grounded too

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2 08/18/2016 at 16:12

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This is actually a clever idea because if it works perfectly like that, I’ve got a wiring problem in between.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Viking03 08/18/2016 at 16:35

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Sell the charger and start all over again.

That’s the point right? Keep restoring forever

uofime-2 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/18/2016 at 16:38

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If the jumper works to prove the starter is ok and wiring is the issue.

Then you can use your test light to first check that it has power to it. Then hook it to the trigger wire and see it that has power. Finally to the output. That should show you where your next step is.

If it doesn’t as in everything looks ok then that suggests you have degraded wires that are t feeding enough current to the starter to get it moving. Check for fraying and corrosion or loose connections

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > uofime-2 08/18/2016 at 16:51

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Great advice, thanks. I doubt I’ll be able to get to it until sunday now unfortunately. Busy couple days including what should be RallyX on Saturday in the not-so-mighty-rally-Milan

(I say should be because it’s supposed to rain, i’m hoping it isn’t rained out)

Racin'Jason001 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/21/2016 at 00:42

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Nice ST, bro. Ever thought about putting pin-strip decals on it?

http://www.pinstripekits.com/ford-logo-embl…

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Racin'Jason001 08/22/2016 at 09:28

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Haha, well the FoST was K-Roll’s and he traded it in last week for a Boostang. And funny enough the FoST was the only one of the 3 cars pictured without pin stripes.

Racin'Jason001 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/22/2016 at 16:50

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Haha! Wow, never knew that, LOL!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Racin'Jason001 08/22/2016 at 16:55

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Yep, the Milan and the Montego are both striped.

Actually every vehicle I’ve owned that I’m the principal driver on has been striped. Was never a requirement of mine, was just the way they came to me.