54 Slow Cranking

[Brad H.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Ok I checked volts at battery posts when cranked and got 6.2, let me remind you when battery is charged starter cranks just fine, but after a couple of days that is when I get 10 good cranks then it drags way down but will still start car, battery guy said battery is still good, volts ok cells ok but percent of something? must be for holding a charge was a little low, battery is three years old with 3-4 starts a month. Do we still think starter when battery show over 8 volts but then won't spin starter after so many cranks, I will take car in and have Finn Electric(Auto etc.) check all readings. Thanks again, Brad.

[Roger O.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

let me remind you when battery is charged starter cranks just fine, but after a couple of days that is when I get 10 good cranks then it drags way down but will still start car

From the above statement it sounds as if you have a battery problem as far as a couple of days being a factor.
Try this , remove the neg battery cable,charge the battery,take a voltage reading,wait an hour and take another reading,take readings several times a day for the next couple of days and record all readings. If you see a steady decline that takes you below battery voltage your battery is no good. If your battery passes this test repeat test but with neg cable hooked up.

On a 12 volt I do the same thing but remove the residual charge left by the charger with a small load but in your case it sounds like it will show without the small load. ( Personally I do this test on the work bench.)

Have you done a cell to cell check with a hydrometer ?

[Jim L.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

From the above statement it sounds as if you have a battery problem

I agree.

In addition, I'm starting to suspect that perception is a factor. What do I mean by that? In my experience, 6 Volt starting systems just turn more slowly than 12 Volt starting systems. You can hear the difference.

My '54, which starts just fine on a 6 Volt battery, doesn't turn over as rapidly as my '60 with its 12 Volt battery. That's just the way it is.

Brad, if you aren't used to 6 Volt cars, your '54 is going to sound like it is turning over slowly, even if nothing is wrong. It's certainly not going to sound like a vehicle with a modern gear-reduction starter.

So you might be perceiving a problem with the starting system that doesn't really exist. I don't know since I can't hear your '54 cranking, but that's my hunch this morning after only one cuppa coffee.

Jim

[Brad H.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Happiest 4th, am monitoring the battery volt drop just sitting, I have both cables on ( No clock hookup) charged to 9.2, two hours later to 8.5 and cranked and started great, also pumped the gas about four times to the floor, choke all the way out and it popped quicker, maybe my bowls do dry out over night, next morning (4th) still reading 8.5, will check tonight after dinner, could not find the correct induction meter in town to check amp draw at starter but will check back, be safe and walk straight. Brad

[Gary C.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Brad, OReilly Auto Parts can order the induction amp meter and have it for you a couple of days at the most. Gary....

[Dick W.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Happiest 4th, am monitoring the battery volt drop just sitting, I have both cables on ( No clock hookup) charged to 9.2, two hours later to 8.5 and cranked and started great, also pumped the gas about four times to the floor, choke all the way out and it popped quicker, maybe my bowls do dry out over night, next morning (4th) still reading 8.5, will check tonight after dinner, could not find the correct induction meter in town to check amp draw at starter but will check back, be safe and walk straight. Brad

8.5 volts is close to what an 8 volt battery should read. Somewhere between there and about 8.8 volts. The 9.2 abd 9.5 reading you have posted is indicative of an overcharged 8.0 volt battery

[Brad H.]

Re: 54 Slow Cranking

Seems now battery with a good charge is holding an 8.5 for several days, cranks fine, still pops a little late but pops sooner when I pump the gas several times to the floor then full choke and then crank, maybe like someone mentined bowls dry out overnight, maybe I need to adjust carbs richer and then check, might still get the induction meter and check starter anyway. Thanks all, Brad.