VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Slow crank on 31

I noticed today that when the engine is cold it cranks over fast and starts easily. When it is hot it cranks very slow making me wonder if it will start. So far it always has. Is this normal or a signal there maybe a problem?

Starter may need bushings, armature starting to drag. Battery starting to get weak. Battery cables to small, should be 0 gauge or larger, could also be poor connections, either end.

I had the same problem. The solution was to set the timing so the flywheel mark and bell housing mark line up at idle. Mine was a couple of degrees advanced and caused the slow hot crank problem. I also pull out the spark retard knob out about 1/4 of an inch ,which is max retard when in crank. Push it back in when the engine starts.
Hope this helps
Bye for now
Mike

I dealt with that same issue for months on my '32. After all my attempts at a resolution, I believe the main culprit was the timing too far advanced (18 degrees TDC). I'm back at factory 12 degrees, I think. I upgraded both battery cables to 00, relocated the neg cable to a starter hold down bolt, installed an Optima 800 CCA 6 volt battery, made all connections shine. She spins nice now, hot or cold. Maybe an old habit, but whenever possible, I'll look for an incline to park on just in case.

Sounds like you did everything right, you don't need any inclines to park on , unless you want to test the holding strength of your emergency brake.

mike

Be sure to use the habit of stepping on the starter FIRST and after it's cranked for a second or two, THEN turn the key ON. I don't even think about this any more - it just comes naturally.

Just curious. What does cranking it over with the key in "off" position do ? Thanks .

It does a couple of things.

1- Nearly 100% of the battery power goes to the starter with the key off. That's good.
2- The most draw from the battery is in the first revolution of the engine trying to get it to come up to speed. This battery draw is even worse if the engine has sat for a while, since the oil drains off of most of the moving parts.
3- Once the engine is turning at full cranking speed, it requires less draw from the battery. Additionally, within a few cranks, the oil begins to flow everywhere, thereby making the engine turn over even easier.
4- Now when you turn the key on, the engine has significantly reduced the amount of voltage that it needs for the starter, so you have a HIGHER Battery VOLTAGE that is available to the COIL. This will give you a hotter spark.

Ergo - the engine will start easier.

Thanks for the explanation ! I never would have thought of doing that.
Kind of like a batter warming up with 2 bats in the on-deck circle, then drops one when in the box when his swing counts….kinda…..

Is this an"updraft carb" carb solution only or do you think it applies to later cars using the W-1 carb.

Bill...

I do the same thing in starting your 32. My Dad always did it so I do it and thought some of the same thoughts....and I retard the spark...

Mac

Thanks for that info. Makes sense. My dad used to say "you learn something new everyday" and I just did.