54 Slow Cranking

[Brad H.]

I run an 8 volt in my 54, when volts drop to about 8.5 ( after about 3 days after driving) it will crank over normal for about 8-10 cranks, then I pause like always and crank again, then it will crank very slowly but then will start, everything has been rebuilt, the only change has been an original solinoid I put in last summer, have not tried other one yet to see it makes a diff., when driven volt are about 9.4, should it drop .9 in three days, should I take battery in for a good test first before starting anything else?, could someone take me thru their similar problen like this and give a start to finish cure all? Thanks again, Brad

[Roy B.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

First thing to be asked are the battery cable the correct gage wires , and then is the engine grounded good.

[Roger O.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Cables and ground are very important on the low voltage cars. My question would be why is the engine not starting in the first 8-10 cranks ?
Are your choke plates closing tightly ?

[Jim L.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

First thing to be asked are the battery cable the correct gage wires

I agree with Roy.

In general, but particularly on 6V systems, bigger is better with regard to battery cables. I'd run 2 gage or larger for both battery cables.

As an aside.... Something is bad wrong with the cranking circuit on your car if it cranks slowly with 8V applied to the starter. My own '54 cranks enthusiastically with its original 6V system intact.

You might want to measure the Voltage AT THE STARTER while cranking to verify all eight of those Volts are still present. If you do this test, ground your meter DIRECTLY TO THE STARTER also.

Jim

[Gary C.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Brad, a nice little clip on induction ammeter which would go over the battery cable to the starter. During the start cycle that would show how many amps the starter is drawing. Would expect the 8v battery to spin the starter good unless the cables and/or starter is weak. JMTCW, Gary....

http://www.hoytmeter.com/products/764-A_Clamp_on_Ammeter.html

[Roger O.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

You might also want to monitor the coil voltage during cranking.

[Brad H.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Grounds and cables are good. Brad

[John D.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

brad,

I remember a restorer article on this very subject years ago titled "no more ether" or words to that effect...if I remember correctly the writer recommended using a heavy duty 6V tractor battery....

[Karl L.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Brad,
You stated that everything had been rebuilt.
By a professional electronic service person?
Some armatures tend to ground out and cause a drag when cranking.
End bushings can also cause drag if worn.
Karl.

[Brad H.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Cables and ground are very important on the low voltage cars. My question would be why is the engine not starting in the first 8-10 cranks ?
Are your choke plates closing tightly ?

Hi Rodger, yes on choke plates, car has allways started on second batch of cranks, floats are set fine, what would speed up start? Brad

[Brad H.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

So this is a process of elimination from easy to end being take starter out and rebuild worse case, could fan belt be too tight, probably not if cranks fine at beginning, is solinoid a factor? Thanks everyone, good info, (sorry, not an electrical apparatus kind of guy just as yet, but am learning). Brad.

[Gary C.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Brad, an easy first step as was posted previously is checking the amp draw of the starter during a hard to start cycle with the clip on amp meter. The starter rebuilder can tell you how much it should draw. Gary....
http://www.hoytmeter.com/products/76...n_Ammeter.html

[Roger O.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Hi Rodger, yes on choke plates, car has allways started on second batch of cranks, floats are set fine, what would speed up start? Brad

Spark and fuel . See if you can isolate which one improves starting.
If the choke plates don't slam shut tightly the engine will slow start from lack of fuel. Personally as test I shoot a small amount of carb cleaner in each carb with a cold engine,then try the start,if the engine fires I look for why the engine lacking fuel. Some of these carbs drain float bowls over night and have to refill.

Another test I have done is to use a separate 6 volt battery to supply ignition system. If a starter pulls too much it can starve the ignition system.

[Dick W.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Long ways from a C-1 expert, but you state that you are running an 8 volt battery (I am old enough to remember that the only electrical systems were either 6 or 24 volts, and sold a lot of 8 volt batteries). What is your voltage regulator set at? Is the charging system still set up for 6 volts? If so, you need to find someone with the knowledge and experience to set it for a maximum output of about 9 volts. Normal voltage for automotive batteries, at full charge, is 2.2 volts per cell. An eight volt battery has 4 cells which would equal about 8.8 volts at full charge

I think that you have become accustomed to the speed of the starter with the higher voltage and when the battery drops back to the normal (6) voltage, it seems to turn too slow.

[Karl L.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

So this is a process of elimination from easy to end being take starter out and rebuild worse case, could fan belt be too tight, probably not if cranks fine at beginning, is solinoid a factor? Thanks everyone, good info, (sorry, not an electrical apparatus kind of guy just as yet, but am learning). Brad.

Brad,
I asked a simple question about you stating someone rebult your starter.
Was he qualified?? If the end bushings are bad and (other things) this can cause the starter to heat up and drag. After a few cranks could be why starter drags.
As for the solenoid...It snaps the bendix gear into the flywheel while the starter motor turns. When they go bad nothing works. Sometimes the may click
as you turn the Ignition key to start and maybe catch and start the prosess or the starting motor may just hum.

So back to the rebuild of the starter?????? Was it rebuilt all the way or part of the way????


Karl.