Starter?

I have a 1949 Super H with a possible starter issue. 6 months ago it would turn over albeit very very slowly, like the battery was almost dead. I charged it up and got the same result while trying to turn it over. I gave up until yesterday. Charged the battery, and same result. Checked all the wiring, it was fine. Then I accidentally grounded the positive terminal and got a big spark. Now, I can get the light to turn on but as soon as I push the starter button everything dies. Took the starter in to have it tested and it spins without a load of course. I put it back on, bypassed the starter button, and went directly from the positive terminal to the starter. It sparked, started to smoke, but no spinning from the starter. So I'm thinking that under load the starter won't spin and is in fact a starter motor. But here is the kicker. The thing leaks oil everywhere, and I'm wondering if the motor is seized up or if it's the starter. The oil pan has oil in it, so I'm guessing it's not a seized motor. Any ideas? By the way I am a mechanical idiot.

Welcome Peanutranch,

 

First let me ask has the H been converted over to Negative Ground? If not your system is a positive ground and running a wire from the positive side of the battery to the starter would produce a spark.

 

Have you had the battery itself checked to make sure it has the power (Holding a charge) to crank the starter?

 

Also check all the battery cable connections, I find that the ground wire looses connection over time at the tractor side of the connection on older tractors.

 

Scott

Is it a 6 or 12 volt system ? It may be a few different problems adding up to the starter not turning.