Problem starting-1940 ford

[vetpenny]

I have a 1940 ford pickup (85hp) which has the following problem. I have no problem starting the truck after it has been sitting for a while (~1 week). However if I run it for about 20 minutes and shut it off it barely cranks over. The temperature is above normal but it does not boil over. My impression is that flat heads run hot. The battery is okay. Does any one have any thoughts as what my problem may be? For example, generator, cutout, voltage regulator, starter, battery connections and/or cable. Thanks for your help.

[Veeder]

Set the points in the distributor to approximately .019 and see if it helps

[drolston]

Just to be clear, the problem is that the starter will not turn it over fast enough to start the engine when it is hot.

All battery and cable connections should be taken apart and cleaned, including the ground strap from engine to firewall. It would not hurt to run an added ground cable from the starter mounting bolt to the point on the firewall where the battery ground cable attaches. If that does not help, your starter may need brushes or rebuild.

[4dFord/SC]

I recently went through the same scenario, and a rebuilt starter solved the problem.

[G.M.]

When you have this condition whether it's a starter problem, battery,
small cables or bad connections the battery voltage is being pulled
down at the coil. At 3.5 volts it will be a little harder to start and
below 3.5 it may start once in a while and below that it won't start
at all. If it was spinning a little faster sometimes they will fire just as
you release the starter button. Engine is still spinning and voltage went
up when starter current dropped. G.M.

[Floyd]

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To add to 4dFord, something often overlooked is the bushings in the starter. You can take a starter apart and find the brushes are still good and the shaft is still straight and you put it back together and it works. However any play in the bushings will drastically change the performance Like G M says, added current draw reduces voltage to the coil and you get no start. You can get new bushings or better still get NOS end piece with installed bushing of correct size. You know who has the NOS parts. Give Fred a call.
My opinion