Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-19-2020, 01:48 PM   #1
Gufshoz
Member
 
Gufshoz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Gulf Shores, AL
Posts: 77
Default Slow turn over

I have an interesting issue. Twice, when I’ve stopped to refuel, the engine barely turns over to restart It’s fine when cold, or on an immediate restart. This has only happened when she’s off for about 15 minutes or so. Luckily, I haven’t needed a jump. Does this sound like a battery, starter, or ??? Problem?
Gufshoz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 02:19 PM   #2
Mike Peters
Senior Member
 
Mike Peters's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: South East Wisconsin
Posts: 1,279
Default Re: Slow turn over

A hot engine turns over harder than a cold engine. Do you have the heavy battery cables, positive and negative? Those skinny little 12 volt cables from the auto parts store are not adequate. Check your battery and starter connections. Also, check your Positive ground strap where it attaches to the frame. Needs to be clean. If your frame is rusty, you can attach a positive ground cable directly to the flywheel housing on the engine. Makes a big difference.
Mike Peters is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 07-19-2020, 02:33 PM   #3
Gary WA
Senior Member
 
Gary WA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island
Posts: 4,088
Default Re: Slow turn over

Hot Coil?
__________________
www.whidbeymodelaclub.com
Gary WA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 03:59 PM   #4
Terry Burtz, Calif
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Campbell,CA, USA
Posts: 313
Default Re: Slow turn over

If the engine has few miles since a rebuild, there is a possibilty that you don't have enough piston to cylinder wall clearence for pistons 3 and 4. I had an engine with this problem and it took some time for wear to increase the clearence. Just leave it idle and the cooling water will continue to circulate.
Terry Burtz, Calif is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 05:16 PM   #5
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: Slow turn over

When you stop for gas your retarding the spark? Advanced timing will cause hard starting.
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap
get a bigger hammer tap done
Big hammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 05:25 PM   #6
daren007
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Saint Cloud Mn
Posts: 745
Default Re: Slow turn over

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Hot coil?
daren007 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 06:14 PM   #7
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,471
Default Re: Slow turn over

A hot coil can't affect the speed of the starter. The OP said it turns over slowly, not hard to start.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 06:31 PM   #8
Steves46
Senior Member
 
Steves46's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lithia, FL
Posts: 1,050
Default Re: Slow turn over

I had the same problem when I used to own my 46 Ford (Flathead V8 & 6 volt positive ground). Changed the battery cables to 00 gauge and noticed immediate improvement. Later-on the starter started to slow down a bit but after a starter rebuild, everything was good again. So, if your cables are already proper size, I would suspect the starter may be getting tired and needs a rebuild or replacement. If the cables are small, try replacing with larger cables first. Hopefully you will resolve the problem soon.
__________________
If it aint broke, don't fix it!
Steves46 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2020, 06:59 PM   #9
Gary WA
Senior Member
 
Gary WA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island
Posts: 4,088
Default Re: Slow turn over

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
A hot coil can't affect the speed of the starter. The OP said it turns over slowly, not hard to start.
true misread!
__________________
www.whidbeymodelaclub.com
Gary WA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 08:56 AM   #10
1931 flamingo
Senior Member
 
1931 flamingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,389
Default Re: Slow turn over

CLEAN the ground connections. Install a separate ground cable from the frame to the transmission. JMO
Paul in CT
1931 flamingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 09:22 AM   #11
chrs1961815
Senior Member
 
chrs1961815's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Spring Grove, Illinois
Posts: 1,371
Default Re: Slow turn over

Bad battery or cables are not the right size like stated. Similar things happen when you use an extension cord of incorrect guage with a big piece of equipment like a lathe or drill press - the full amount of power does not get to the motor thus it is turning at a slower rpm.
__________________
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
chrs1961815 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 09:29 AM   #12
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Slow turn over

Also try testing the battery. - https://www.harborfreight.com/100a-6...ter-61747.html
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 10:00 AM   #13
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Slow turn over

When the starter bushings wear , it can cause the armature to drag on the field shoes . The bushing on the drive end of the starter will be the first to wear out and cause starter drag .

Last edited by Purdy Swoft; 07-20-2020 at 01:13 PM.
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 10:03 AM   #14
raprice
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Elwood, NY
Posts: 299
Default Re: Slow turn over

I totally agree with Paul, re: proper grounding. Clean the frame where the ground strap is attached to make sure nothing, including paint is inhibiting proper ground. Of course, proper 6 volt cables are a must.
Good luck.
Rog
raprice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 10:09 AM   #15
chap52
Senior Member
 
chap52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Marana Arizona
Posts: 1,771
Default Re: Slow turn over

As suggested, running an additional ground cable from the from a tranny or bell housing bolt is good insurance of maintaining a good ground. Chap
chap52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 10:28 AM   #16
eagle
Senior Member
 
eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
Default Re: Slow turn over

According to the original post, this has happened twice. Out of how many? Twice out of 20 hot starts, 2 out of two? Anyway, I think the two most logical answers are poor ground or starter getting tired. Running a ground strap should be SOP anyway, so I'd get that done then keep an eye on it. It may also be a good idea to use the crank a few times to get a feel for how the engine turns over hot, then when the problem happens again try turning over by crank and see if the engine feels tighter or not.
__________________
"There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."
eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 03:04 PM   #17
Gufshoz
Member
 
Gufshoz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Gulf Shores, AL
Posts: 77
Default Re: Slow turn over

Okay. I’ll try the ground strap first. The current ground is heavy wire, but I doubt that it’s 00 or 1.
To answer the questions about rebuild and number of starts. I’ve put about 50 miles on her since having the head refaced and putting in new, adjustable valves. I have only had her stopped to top off the fuel tank twice and that’s when she was slow to turn over.
Gufshoz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 04:40 PM   #18
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Slow turn over

Perhaps it was not noticeable berfore? Now it has had a valve job compression might be substantially higher.
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 04:51 PM   #19
Gufshoz
Member
 
Gufshoz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Gulf Shores, AL
Posts: 77
Default Re: Slow turn over

The compression went from high 40’s and low 50’s to 60psi in all cylinders. I can see some difference, but people with high compression heads don’t seem to have problems. When I say “slow turnover”, I should say “barely turns over”.
Gufshoz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2020, 06:04 PM   #20
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Slow turn over

Timing could be set too advanced .
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:10 PM.