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Old 05-08-2021, 08:02 PM   #1
Alaska Mike
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Default Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

Had my engine rebuilt, new bearings, balanced crank, high lift cam, lightened flywheel, v8 clutch, bigger intake valves, high compression head. I have about 200 miles on it now. Starter would hardly turn the engine over to start it, so I took it to a reputable shop that rebuilds starters. He put a new armature in it, and thought it was good to go. I installed it, and it will start it, but still turns over very slow. I installed a new start switch, cleaned the surfaces where the starter bolts to the engine, new battery, new cables, grounded from the battery to the frame, and to the transmission. About all I can do to turn it over with the crank. Do I just need to drive it some more and wait for it to break-in?
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Old 05-08-2021, 08:54 PM   #2
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

Do you have the proper size battery cable ? I use double ought ( 00 )!
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Old 05-08-2021, 10:49 PM   #3
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

Mike, Your last sentence tells me you know what you should do with it. As you ay, It will free-up with use so use it. That's what they were made for.
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Old 05-09-2021, 09:49 AM   #4
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

Also check that you have a good ground path for our starter. After the engine and starter rebuild, both are probably beautifully painted to the point where there's little bare metal contact between the starter and engine. Scrape off some paint behind the starter bolt ears and where they bolt to the engine to get a good ground.
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Old 05-09-2021, 10:02 AM   #5
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

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About all I can do to turn it over with the crank. ?
If it's that hard to turn over I would surmise that whoever assembled that engine didn't know what they were doing. It shouldn't be that tight.
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Old 05-09-2021, 10:35 AM   #6
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

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It’s possible that the engine rebuilder got things too tight. I would remove the spark plugs and turn the engine over with the crank. If it is difficult to turn then it might take some time for the cylinders to break in and be looser when turning by hand and hopefully your starter will turn faster! It’s also possible that the bearings were set up with LESS than required clearance!
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Old 05-09-2021, 10:43 AM   #7
Jerry in Shasta
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

A Model A requires more piston clearance than a modern car.
Years alo I had a engine re-bored at a local shop. They gave the pistons about 4 thousands clearance. When warm the engine was very tight for a long time.
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Old 05-09-2021, 11:46 AM   #8
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

Could be timing, high compression head, clearances, or needs breaking-in.
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Old 05-09-2021, 06:18 PM   #9
Alaska Mike
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

Thanks for all the ideas. I did clean the area where the starter meets the bell housing, and I made my own battery cables out of welding cable so I could put a disconnect switch in. I think just driving it is the solution. Thanks again!
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Old 05-09-2021, 07:06 PM   #10
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

NOT Your Problem but..... careless assembly using three 'too long' starter bolts that will lock against the flywheel has caused many unnecessary engine removals to re check motor clearances that where correct.....
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Old 05-09-2021, 11:02 PM   #11
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

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Originally Posted by Alaska Mike View Post
Thanks for all the ideas. I did clean the area where the starter meets the bell housing, and I made my own battery cables out of welding cable so I could put a disconnect switch in. I think just driving it is the solution. Thanks again!
Hey Mike,
‘high compression” head
How high compression ?
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Old 05-10-2021, 09:48 AM   #12
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

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Thanks for all the ideas. I did clean the area where the starter meets the bell housing, and I made my own battery cables out of welding cable so I could put a disconnect switch in. I think just driving it is the solution. Thanks again!
Some of the disconnect switches out there do not pass enough current for the starter.

You might jumper the terminals on the disconnect switch with a heavy cable like a jumper cable and see if it cranks faster.

Last edited by Benson; 05-14-2021 at 09:37 AM.
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Old 05-10-2021, 06:16 PM   #13
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

I would either disconnect one side of the cutoff switch and bolt it to the side on disconnect switch or a jumper cable across the cutoff switch.
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Old 05-10-2021, 07:19 PM   #14
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

Mike, It sounds like you are doing all the right things. My only suggestion is to check the voltage at the starter terminal when cranking the engine over. That will tell you a lot. Maybe you need a new battery.
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Old 05-10-2021, 08:06 PM   #15
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

If you can barely turn it over with the crank, It is too tight. I just worked on one that had one rod at less than .0005" and it was too much for the starter. It had just been rebuilt by a big name rebuilder. One shim solved the problem.
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Old 05-11-2021, 04:07 AM   #16
Alaska Mike
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

Thanks for the ideas! I will check the disconnect switch, and voltage. 6 to 1 high compression head. I will try those ideas, and post again. Thanks! Mike
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Old 05-11-2021, 11:02 PM   #17
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

Rod clearance is critical, as stated, even one shim can make a world of difference.
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Old 05-12-2021, 10:16 AM   #18
katy
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

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Rod clearance is critical, as stated, even one shim can make a world of difference.
Ditto.
Also, another item often overlooked is ring end gap. Not enough gap on even one ring is enough to make an engine overly stiff, especially when hot.
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Old 05-12-2021, 04:44 PM   #19
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

I would also reccomend driving it. Several people in our club have had the same situation and driving it freed them up.


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Old 05-12-2021, 09:00 PM   #20
Alaska Mike
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Default Re: Starter not quite up to the task after rebuild

I by-passed the battery disconnect and nothing changed. It does have high compression head. I have about 150 miles on the rebuild now. I checked the battery voltage and it was only 5.1 volts, which didn't sound good. I have the battery charger on it now to see if that helps. I really appreciate the ideas! I will let you know how I finally solve this thing.
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