Dragging Starter

[Ronald L.]

Re: Dragging Starter

How is it that all this dragging starter issue the OP started is dealing with ignition and distributors - not adressing the root cause???

A dragging starter is usually fixed by replacing the gear spring mechanism at the tip, it has become weak over the years of use.

[Mark E.]

Re: Dragging Starter

How is it that all this dragging starter issue the OP started is dealing with ignition and distributors - not adressing the root cause???

A dragging starter is usually fixed by replacing the gear spring mechanism at the tip, it has become weak over the years of use.

Good point. We should clarify what Paul means by "dragging starter". I interpreted it as meaning the starter has difficulty turning over the engine. With this interpretation, the problem may be a weak starter, misaligned starter, insufficient power to the starter, or high crank resistance due to timing or mechanical issues. This is the track of the thread.

But if Paul means something else, like the solenoid not retracting after cranking as you say...

[Stephen L.]

Re: Dragging Starter

I looked back at the original thread: With a cold engine it starts as it should. If the engine was hot the starter "dragged" Sounds to me that it turned considerably slower..... a starter motor problem.
Now if this was a timing problem or a vacuum problem or ??? problem, wouldn't that problem be present with the engine cold or hot?

[Paul A.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Good point. We should clarify what Paul means by "dragging starter". I interpreted it as meaning the starter has difficulty turning over the engine. With this interpretation, the problem may be a weak starter, misaligned starter, insufficient power to the starter, or high crank resistance due to timing or mechanical issues. This is the track of the thread.

But if Paul means something else, like the solenoid not retracting after cranking as you say...

[Ronald L.]

Re: Dragging Starter

I had the same issue with my 66 BB and this is the piece that was changed to fix the issue - this is a file photo88-824-032-01.jpg

[Paul A.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Thanks Ronald, I will show this part to the rebuild shop.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Dragging Starter

I had the same issue with my 66 BB and this is the piece that was changed to fix the issue - this is a file photo[ATTACH=CONFIG]107642[/ATTACH]

I have never seen a starter drag because of the starter drive, usually when the drive fails it will not catch and spin the flywheel.

[Paul A.]

Re: Dragging Starter

So here’s where I’m at now. I found a correct reconditioned GM distributor specific for my car. Fellow on the CF has many to sell. Also former member here. Let me know if interested. Anyway I installed the original distributor. Set dwell at 30 degrees, ran manifold vacuum and set total timing at 36 degrees at about 3000 rpm. I let the initial fall where it may at 14-16. I know that’s not specs however, she runs much better now and a bit faster. If I set initial any lower I have breakup upon take off. Dragging start issue hasn’t shown itself as of yet.

[Winston M.]

Re: Dragging Starter

My 69 GTO was doing the same thing, turn over fine cold, wouldn't turn over when engine was hot.......a new battery fixed it.
60's Pontiac v-8's are way more prone to this problem than Chevy engines, especially if they have been bored out .060. Some Pontiacs
do this no matter how many batteries or starters you put on them. In these situations, the fix is going to a heavier gauge battery cable than the
factory used......same gauge as big diesel trucks use. I had an engineer for Pontiac (John Sawruk) tell me that they knew that Pontiacs needed the heavier gauge battery cables like Buick was using but the bean counters in manageent nixed the idea and wouldn't let them do it.