Slow Crank 351c

[Studdley]

JUst got a new battery for some more cranking amps, now when I crank the car for more than 15 seconds, smoke comes from the solenoid and produces a terrible smell. Is the solenoid the issue, its pretty much brand new as well, or is it the starter cable, which is pretty old

 

[c9zx]

The smoke tells me to look for a loose connection or wire gauge too small. Chuck

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

Heavily corroded cable will create lots of resistance = heat & poor conductivity = slow cranking.

 

[Stanglover]

When it come to electronics, pretty much any electronics, I'm lost and first to admit it, BUT this is similar to something I had on a previous Mustang I owned.

I know you've been going through a lot with trying to get this old girl going, but I really think you need to go to the ground cable. It connects from the battery to a CLEANED location near the voltage regulator on the apron and then to the FRONT of your BLOCK, not heads. There is a 3/8th bolt hole near the bottom for this. There can be NO paint or oil. Needs to be squeaky clean and good tight bolts. From the little I know, I think the circuit is trying to go to ground through whatever it can find.

If you can't locate that point, I can picture the ground cable on my car and post it. Buy a new and correct ground cable if needs be from NPD, Summit or CJPP, but it needs at least the two points of contact. Some have said to install an extra ground strap at the back of the block as well and it can't hurt.

 

[Studdley]

Heavily corroded cable will create lots of resistance = heat & poor conductivity = slow cranking.

Id reckon that's it because it gets stupid hot and it actually glows

 

[Stanglover]

Heavily corroded cable will create lots of resistance = heat & poor conductivity = slow cranking.

Id reckon that's it because it gets stupid hot and it actually glows

 That's funny! Check your shorts, literally. I sincerely hope we won't get a post from you to tell us "it burned up"

 

[Tnfastbk]

You might want to look into why you have to crank it for 15 seconds or more while you are at it.

 

[Ron Tanzi]

If your grounds and positive connections are clan then your starter is pulling too many amps through the solenoid. Therefore your starter has had it.

Ron

 

[Stanglover]

If your grounds and positive connections are clan then your starter is pulling too many amps through the solenoid. Therefore your starter has had it.

Ron

Good call Ron.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Two more cents worth.

Yes all the wires need to be good and ground perfect. Ford starters will start to drag the armature when the bearings get worn and puts a huge load on the battery. If all the wires are now good I would pull the starter and you should be able to get new bearings at parts house. They are bronze oi-lite bearings. Clean up the armature but do not use sand paper on the copper. The grit gets in the copper and eats the brushes. Brushes can also be worn out and not putting enough tension on the pick up or a broke spring on brushes. It is tricky to pull the starter apart and get the cap back on holding the brushes back with pieces of wire but can be done. Or you just swap with the parts house and get one already rebuilt. If you are not trying to keep all original parts just swap the starter with parts house.

If you have all your ignition and fuel system is correct the car should fire almost instantly. Is choke working and set properly?

David

 

[Ron Tanzi]

If your starter does need to be replaced I would recommend a Powermaster starter as a replacement. They make an improved version of the original Ford starter and are American made.

Ron