SLOW cranking...need some help
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Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 399
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From: Columbia MO
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: WCT5
SLOW cranking...need some help
Hi all,
1983 Z28 with a stock 305. I had the engine apart to put new bearings and stuff in. I put the engine back together with permatex assmebly lube. Everything turned over fine. You can turn the engine over with a 6 or 8 inch screwdriver on the flexplate.
The engine is cranking VERY slow though. I thought maybe I'd killed the starter while trying to start the engine with a bent rod (pre-teardown) so I replaced the starter with another one I've got (it was good when I last used it). It is still cranking slow with my other starter.
The battery is OK. I think it is only at about 12 volts or so, but it starts my old truck fine.
I have the positive battery cable going to the starter and the negative battery cable going to the alternator (also has a ground to the fenderwell). I haven't hooked up the engine-to-firewall ground strap yet or the ground strap on the wiring harness back there by the passenger side rear of the enging. I don't think this should cause it though since I've got a good solid ground to the engine.
Anybody have any good ideas besides grounds and a new battery. Those are my two next steps, but I don't think they're the culprits.
What typically causes a slow cranking condition?
In my experience, heat soak, a shot starter, or a dead battery will cause a slow crank. are there any other good possibilities?
thanks in advance for the help,
Clem
------------------
Clem
SCCA TransAm Series Race Mechanic/CrewChief
-------------
1983 Z28 with LG4, 5 speed, and (unfortunately) T-tops
1983 Z28, NO T-tops, (unfortunately) Auto Transmission (hopefully not for long)
1983 Z28 with a stock 305. I had the engine apart to put new bearings and stuff in. I put the engine back together with permatex assmebly lube. Everything turned over fine. You can turn the engine over with a 6 or 8 inch screwdriver on the flexplate.
The engine is cranking VERY slow though. I thought maybe I'd killed the starter while trying to start the engine with a bent rod (pre-teardown) so I replaced the starter with another one I've got (it was good when I last used it). It is still cranking slow with my other starter.
The battery is OK. I think it is only at about 12 volts or so, but it starts my old truck fine.
I have the positive battery cable going to the starter and the negative battery cable going to the alternator (also has a ground to the fenderwell). I haven't hooked up the engine-to-firewall ground strap yet or the ground strap on the wiring harness back there by the passenger side rear of the enging. I don't think this should cause it though since I've got a good solid ground to the engine.
Anybody have any good ideas besides grounds and a new battery. Those are my two next steps, but I don't think they're the culprits.
What typically causes a slow cranking condition?
In my experience, heat soak, a shot starter, or a dead battery will cause a slow crank. are there any other good possibilities?
thanks in advance for the help,
Clem
------------------
Clem
SCCA TransAm Series Race Mechanic/CrewChief
-------------
1983 Z28 with LG4, 5 speed, and (unfortunately) T-tops
1983 Z28, NO T-tops, (unfortunately) Auto Transmission (hopefully not for long)
Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Do a voltage drop test on your battery cables, corroded terminals on your cables can increase resistance to the point of having a slow crank.
------------------
'89 Firebird Formula 350
L98, WS6, Red/grey, t-tops, and a 3.27:1 rear
K&N, TB bypass, no MAF screens, CAI, full Accel ignition, no cats, Hooker Supercomp shorties, Hooker 3-inch catback
ET? 14.8 @ 93mph
Also own '83 Firebird 2.8 2bbl. 155K miles.
ET? Break out the calendar!
------------------
'89 Firebird Formula 350
L98, WS6, Red/grey, t-tops, and a 3.27:1 rear
K&N, TB bypass, no MAF screens, CAI, full Accel ignition, no cats, Hooker Supercomp shorties, Hooker 3-inch catback
ET? 14.8 @ 93mph
Also own '83 Firebird 2.8 2bbl. 155K miles.
ET? Break out the calendar!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
From: cary,nc,usa
try playing with the timing. My car was slow cranking when the timing was too far advanced. When I took the timing down it started normally.
------------------
'86 IROC 5-speed
305 LG4
edelbrock performer rpm intake
edelbrock 600 cfm carb
msd pro billet hei distributer
'95 3.23 rearend
hotchkis rear suspension
PST front polygraphite suspension
"speed kills. buy a f@&d, live forever."
------------------
'86 IROC 5-speed
305 LG4
edelbrock performer rpm intake
edelbrock 600 cfm carb
msd pro billet hei distributer
'95 3.23 rearend
hotchkis rear suspension
PST front polygraphite suspension
"speed kills. buy a f@&d, live forever."
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