The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Hard starting 1950 3100

Hello all, I have finished the restoration on my truck and it's time to start driving it. I have had it out a half dozen times this year. My problem is that it is very hard to start. Cranks very slow when I step on pedal starter. Not or cold the same problem. The only way to get it started is full choke, half throttle and several squirts of spray start. I do this a couple of times and it starts. Runs great after it starts. I read somewhere that 6 volt truck needs a heavy battery cable otherwise they are hard to start. I checked my cable and discovered it was 2 gauge. Article I read said to use 1/0 or 2/0 gauge cable. So I got a 2/0 cable and installed it with high hopes. Unfortunately no change. Still hard starting.

I need your help. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Jon

Did you replace both cables? The ground side is as important, or maybe more so than the hot cable. A #0 or larger cable to both battery posts is important to have, and the ground cable needs to be long enough to reach one of the bellhousing or starter attaching bolts. The original cable routing of a short braided ground to the frame or firewall and another one from the frame to the engine was simply a cost cutting measure at the factory. It's possibly the worst choice for good cranking, as it adds two more connection points to get loose and/or corroded. Your battery should have enough cranking amperage to maintain a minumum of 4.5 volts at the battery posts after 15 seconds of the engine cranking with the ignition off. Do that crankking test ONCE and let the starter cool down for a minumum of 20 minutes before trying the test again. NEVER- - -EVER- - - -crank an engine long enough for the battery to get low enough that the starter stops turning. The last few seconds of slow cranking can melt the windings from excessive current draw. Starters operate at very near dead short conditions, and the slower they crank, the more damage can be done to the windings. EVERY cable connection including both battery post clamps MUST be clean and tight for a 6V starting system to work properly.
Jerry

2 gauge is smaller than 1 gauge, not larger. Plus Jerry's advice is right on.

If you can find 00 cable (welding cable) and make your own, even better.

Also, I wouldn't even use ether on a lawn mower. You risk holing a piston.

Thanks everyone so far. Otto & Mike - my positive battery cable is 00.

Jerry asked, and you didn't respond, about the ground cable. It should also be 2/0 and run directly from the battery to the top bolt that holds the starter to the bellhousing. Make sure that connection is clean.

Bill, we're having a good conversation by PM- - - -he's headed in the right direction, IMHO.
Jerry

Thanks to everyone. I cleaned all the ground attachments including the battery terminals. It starts up great. Now time for some driving fun.

Thank you for closing thre loop with some feedbsack. Far too often, we never find out if our suggestions worked- - - -the OP just fades off into the sunset!
Jerry