Rolls Royce Silver Shadow LS Conversion
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Joined: Jun 2026
Posts: 2
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From: Rocky Mount, NC
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow LS Conversion I am a new guy here. I have a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow with a LS 5.3. I bought the car with the conversion 95% completed.
The problem I am having, no one locally can help!
The previous owner removed the fuel injection and has installed a new Elderbrock carb. It has a MSD controller for the ignition system. The MSD has been programmed with their software.
Here's the problem! It will start/run great. When I cut the car off (even after a minute), it will not turn over! The starter solenoid clicks strongly, but the engine will not turn over until you leave it for several hours. It will then start normally. It has a new battery and starter. When the engine will not turn over, I am still getting about 11.9 v. I have not checked the voltage at the starter, but the solenoid sounds strong! Here's my concern. I cannot get the crank to turn using a breaker bar/socket when the engine refuses to turn (after turning it off). After sitting for a few hours, the crank turns freely (and the engine starts fine)!
I am lost! Any help will be valuable!
Richard
North Carolina
The problem I am having, no one locally can help!
The previous owner removed the fuel injection and has installed a new Elderbrock carb. It has a MSD controller for the ignition system. The MSD has been programmed with their software.
Here's the problem! It will start/run great. When I cut the car off (even after a minute), it will not turn over! The starter solenoid clicks strongly, but the engine will not turn over until you leave it for several hours. It will then start normally. It has a new battery and starter. When the engine will not turn over, I am still getting about 11.9 v. I have not checked the voltage at the starter, but the solenoid sounds strong! Here's my concern. I cannot get the crank to turn using a breaker bar/socket when the engine refuses to turn (after turning it off). After sitting for a few hours, the crank turns freely (and the engine starts fine)!
I am lost! Any help will be valuable!
Richard
North Carolina
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 1,158
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
My guess is that somehow, the starter is getting bound up in the flexplate. Are you 100% sure that the starter is disengaging from the flexplate? If I were you, I would make the problem occur ( unable to turn it over with a breaker bar ) and then get under the car and crack the starter bolts loose and then see if you can turn it over with the breaker bar. If you can after loosening the bolts, then the starter is binding. I would then remove the bolts one at a time and make sure that they're the correct bolts for the starter. Regular bolts cannot be used, they have to be knurled.
