I just finished taking my starter apart and putting it back together for the
second time in 2 years - There are 2 things that seem to happen that will
cause a very slow crank, very high draw (Make sure the starter is getting
hot) ...
- One of the brushes is shorting to the case (The braided copper wire bends
the wrong way and touches a ground)
- One of the screws holding a pole shoe to the case comes out (It's always
one you can't see... There are four!) - this causes a very interesting
situation if you think about it! Part of the starter is turning the
armature, and another part is trying to move itself...
After remedying those 2 conditions it cranks over like crazy (This starter
is the same as the one in my buddy's old Land-Rover - The manual for the
Rover says you can put it in gear and drive the car with the starter motor
if you run out of gas!)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Canaan" <flinters@picarefy.com>
To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 7:31 PM
Subject: Rebuild engine or replace starter?
> Engine: 1300
> Status: Assembled and mounted in chassis
>
> Symptom: Slow rotation with starter
>
> Situation: Engine was running when shut down a year ago. Every couple of
> months it would have a bit of oil put down the cylinders and the engine
> hand turned to keep the rings and bearings from sticking. Now the engine
> is painted, fully assembled with the accessories and mounted in the
> chassis. Attached a transmission and had the drive train complete. Tried
> to crank the engine over with the battery and it drained the battery
almost
> immediately. Okay, it's a dodgy battery. Charged it. Same
> problem. Decided to try using jumper cables from a running vehicle to do
> the same thing. Removed the spark plugs so there is zero compression or
> resistance- or should be. Jumped it, starter did crank over for a second
> or so slowly then died. Further attempts just get sparks at the terminal.
>
> With the plugs out, I can turn the crank pully with a pipe wrench. It's
> not easy, but it does turn smoothly. No hitches or binding in rotation.
I
> can't imagine the engine seized up just sitting there, especially with the
> maintenance that has been done. Engine had high compression (155 psi on
> three cylinders, 150 on the other) so I expect it had been rebuilt fairly
> recently in its lifetime. I far more expect the starter itself is
> dodgy. I've bench tested the starter and it does spin freely- though with
> not great enthusiasm. I'm used to Chevy 350's with starters that have
> enough torque to tear your arm off. These Lucas starters.... they seem a
> bit wimpy. I have another starter core in the pile I should consider
> swapping parts with, I suppose. Seems to me the starters should spin in
a
> snappy manner, not like an anemic heater fan.
>
> -Vegaman Dan
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