Slow start/crank diagnosis
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Farmington, Maine
Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird S/E
Engine: LG4 305
Transmission: Borg-Warner T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Slow start/crank diagnosis
Hey everyone I have a firebird with a carbed 355. When I go to start the car it'll crank like this (think of the word crank as one turn over of the engine) Key ON-Start- crank 1 second- crank 1 second- then crank crank crank- start Vroooom. The engine is in great shape and I've replaced my battery connectors and cleaned up the connections on the starter and engine block but still have the same problem... I even tried a known good battery that had been trickle charged all night. Any ideas on what this could be?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Farmington, Maine
Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird S/E
Engine: LG4 305
Transmission: Borg-Warner T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Slow start/crank diagnosis
Its hard to say, it can't be new I bought the car about a month and a half ago with the motor already swapped in it. I'm not sure how long ago the engine had been put in there... its a 1984 Formula that had a 2.8 V6. And no, my initial timing is 4 degrees before top dead center my total timing is about 32 degrees? Fairly retarded for a built 350. Maybe I'm wrong.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Car: 1984 Camaro Z28 H.O 5.0
Engine: 5.0L
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Slow start/crank diagnosis
If the block was painted and the surface where the starter bolts up wasn't cleaned, you may have a poor ground situation. Loosen the starter bolts a little and retighten.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Farmington, Maine
Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird S/E
Engine: LG4 305
Transmission: Borg-Warner T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Slow start/crank diagnosis
I already tried that, Maybe my starter is dragging?
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 14
From: Not in Kansas anymore
Car: 82 Z28
Engine: 383 SP EFI/ 4150 TB
Transmission: T400
Axle/Gears: QP 9" 3.73
Re: Slow start/crank diagnosis
Maybe time to pull the starter and have it checked .
If you have the big old heavy Delco starter I have had them do similar with old age ;
the bushes in the ends ( replaceable ) wear oval so the armature is not supported in the center.
When powered up ,the armature is pulled to one side , binds up , then breaks free
If you have the big old heavy Delco starter I have had them do similar with old age ;
the bushes in the ends ( replaceable ) wear oval so the armature is not supported in the center.
When powered up ,the armature is pulled to one side , binds up , then breaks free
Trending Topics
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 10
From: Mooresville NC
Car: LOWERED ♦ CRIMSON METALFLAKE
Engine: ► 400 KUBES ◄
Transmission: 765R4
Axle/Gears: EATON POSI 4.56
Cranks, But No Thanks
Connect a voltmeter across the M terminal and ground.
Make the leads long enuff to take the voltmeter into the cockpit.
Under normal circumstances, when cranking you will see about 9 volts on the meter.
If it’s about 12 while you are trying to crank, but the starter is slow - the problem is in the starter.
If it’s under 8 while trying to crank - the problem is excessive resistance in the starting circuit.
Therefore if it is in the starting circuit you can move the probe you applied to terminal M at the starter, to the positive terminals at the solenoid, then keep moving up the line till the problem shows itself VIA increased voltage.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
You Know You’ve “Arrived” When Bikers Rev Their Engines When They’re Beside You
Make the leads long enuff to take the voltmeter into the cockpit.
Under normal circumstances, when cranking you will see about 9 volts on the meter.
If it’s about 12 while you are trying to crank, but the starter is slow - the problem is in the starter.
If it’s under 8 while trying to crank - the problem is excessive resistance in the starting circuit.
Therefore if it is in the starting circuit you can move the probe you applied to terminal M at the starter, to the positive terminals at the solenoid, then keep moving up the line till the problem shows itself VIA increased voltage.
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
Happy Racing!
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙
You Know You’ve “Arrived” When Bikers Rev Their Engines When They’re Beside You
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RedLeader289
Tech / General Engine
10
May 28, 2019 01:47 PM
BumpaD82
Tech / General Engine
37
Feb 26, 2016 02:57 PM