1920 tractor not turning over with good starter

[MIkeWard]

Tractor won’t start
I have a 1989 Ford 1920 tractor and it's been working just fine
In the past I have replaced the clutch and have a thread on it here.
Used the tractor the other day. Started normally, worked for a while. Parked it in the shed like normal. Went to start it up . Turned key and made a funny noise like a metallic crunch, turned key off. Never heard that before.
Turned key again, no noise now just red lights in dash that dimmed a little turned quickly off. tried again same thing happened. Tried next day starter made noise like it tried to engage then nothing just red lights like day before.

Ok thought bad starter. Took it to a place to have it rebuilt. They tested it and it worked fine. He even opened it up and said it looked new inside. Showed me it too. Checked solenoid and it was good too. Told me to check voltage to started had to be a full 12 volts. Said try to jump starter with key on.
New battery and cable put in last fall.
Jumped starter terminals and it made a noise like it was trying to go. But nothing.
Did it a couple of times. It’s almost like the flywheel can’t turn.
After the starter was tested and put back in, with each turn of the key it makes a noise like it’s trying to turn flywheel. Unlike before when lights just came on the second time.

Questions:
Am I going to have to split tractor to check clutch area for something jamming flywheel?
I used lo time when re assembling from clutch replacement. Could a bolt or something else vibrated out and jammed fly wheel?

If the tractor is in neutral can I safely pull it forward to get bucket and backhoe off. I can’t do it in shed no room behind it. Could borrow skid steer to do this.
No engine no hydraulics to move outriggers on backhoe.

If I have to split tractor again I will wait for warmer weather

Any help figuring this out will be greatly appreciated
Thanks everyone!

 

[Peter 315]

I would hold the clutch down and turn the engine over from the crankshaft to see if it turns clockwise and counterclockwise . In neutral you can pull the tractor.

 

[Oldpath05]

Just in case............ Death By Clutch! Ford Tractor Hard Start - YouTube

 

[MIkeWard]

Didn’t think to hold clutch down. Just had it in neutral.
Thought I could pull out starter, use a big screwdriver or pry bar to try to turn flywheel slowly. Wasn’t sure of direction clockwise and counterclockwise?
With clutch held down!
Direction won’t screw anything up?

Thanks Peter

 

[ralph008]

Make sur the battery is fully charge, test voltage and ground at starter, try to jump with another vehicle and put the boster cable on starter and engine block, not on battery to make sure the problem isn't the cables. After that , remove starter, inspect flywheel for tooth damage, try to turn by the flywheel or by the crankshaft bolt on the front of the engine. Make a complete full turn.

 

[MIkeWard]

Make sur the battery is fully charge, test voltage and ground at starter, try to jump with another vehicle and put the boster cable on starter and engine block, not on battery to make sure the problem isn't the cables.

New battery and battery cable. Starter seems to engage flywheel and just stops no spinning or grinding. Just full stop.

 

[ralph008]

New battery doesn't mean fully charge,like new parts doesn't mean good parts, if possible, put a voltmeter on the big terminal of starter an engine ground to confirm 12v when starting. Next step, same thing with the small wire on the solenoid. If all good, you have to turn the engine by hand. You have to diagnose properly before thinking to split.

 

[Roadworthy]

Put a socket on the nut at the front of the crankshaft. You should be able to turn the engine over from there. If it's in gear obviously the tractor will try to move so try it in neutral.

 

[MIkeWard]

Thanks Roadworthy will try next
Problem is the loader arms, tire and bucket don't leave much room to do anything.
will get it!

 

[Katahdin]

A cylinder could be filled with fluid, fuel or coolant, you could remove the injectors to give the fluid a place to escape and try spinning the engine again.