71 351 Cleveland starting/cranking issue

[351mach1]

Good work getting it running! What ended up being the issue?

 

[FirstMach1]

Well….thats a really good question. It’s still a bit of a mystery to me but here’s my best guess.
Compression along with possibly lack of lubricants from sitting caused resistance in the crank. I continually had to charge the battery after each attempt at slow cranking.
Eventually when the system got primed and lubed after timing was set roughly it just fired off.
I’m sure I’m missing something in there or could be wrong altogether. I don’t know if it’s still cranking slowly or not because it starts so quickly now.
I may disconnect the coil just to see if the problem still exists. Because if it does and someday it wont start right away, I’ll only have one or two chances for it to start and not be stranded.

Again, I really appreciate all the input. Even the suggestions that were circling the issue got me thinking in the right directions.

 

[basstrix]

It’s running again! All the stars aligned and we’re back in business. Now I can get down to the fun and easy stuff again like timing and fluid changes.
Thanks for all the input as it was invaluable and I learned so much during this mechanical adventure.

What was causing the slow cranking?

 

[FirstMach1]

What was causing the slow cranking?

If you read above I’m not sure. Still don’t know.
It’ll start right up now (timing not set yet) and run smoothly. However, after warming up today it went immediately back to a no crank issue.
Then it cooled down and cranked just fine. I’m clueless but still investigating.

 

[Sheriff41]

If you read above I’m not sure. Still don’t know.
It’ll start right up now (timing not set yet) and run smoothly. However, after warming up today it went immediately back to a no crank issue.
Then it cooled down and cranked just fine. I’m clueless but still investigating.

Sounds like your starter is going bad. Pretty classic indications. Do have headers on your Mach?

 

[FirstMach1]

Starter may be bad. But it’s only a couple years old and very little use. But still possible.
No headers

 

[FirstMach1]

I had the starter tested a few weeks ago and it passed.

 

[Sheriff41]

You could check how many amps your starter is pulling on a cold start, then check it on a hot start. Starter should draw less than 300 amps. Also check the CCA of you battery.

 

[FirstMach1]

You could check how many amps your starter is pulling on a cold start, then check it on a hot start. Starter should draw less than 300 amps. Also check the CCA of you battery.

Thanks. Good idea. I’ll do that.