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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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#21631 03/28/2004 2:06 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 5 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 5 | All, Just purchased a very nice 69 c10 4x4, haven't owned one since the early 70's. I took it for my first drive (45 min) yesterday. I noticed after I shut it off and then restarted a few minutes later, the engine cranked very slow, almost as if the battery was weak (new battery was installed in Dec). Any clue as to what would cause this slow cranking? Thanks! Joe S. www.neatstuff2sell.com
Joe S.
69 Chevy C10 4x4
69 Mercedes Unimog 404
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#21632 03/28/2004 2:47 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 110 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 110 | Hi Joe
Check out your starter. It probably has worn bushings and the armature is draging on the field coils. If it is kicking back and not a slow, even drag then it might be in the timing.
Truck Tinker from Talking Rock | | |
#21633 03/28/2004 2:55 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | If you turn on the inside cab light before cranking, you can get an idea if the system voltage is really being dragged down. Sometimes starters will start to fail in a way that they draw huge amounts of current when they are warm. | | |
#21634 03/28/2004 3:08 PM | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 | Another possibility: the charging system isn't working. My 60 Apache has that problem. The engine will run if the battery is charged, but it will drain the battery. Eventually there won't be enough juice to run the ignition.
Current fleet (subject to change w/o notice) \'49 GMC 3/4-Ton , 60 Austin Healey Frog-eye Sprite (some assembly required), 2011 Dodge Avenger, 2015 Jeep Cherokee. No, they don't all run. My other ride is a (B737)no, (B767)no, A320.... Update... was Embraer E190, now Boeing B787. Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but ignorance means you don't know you can't do something.
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#21635 03/28/2004 5:33 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 510 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 510 | If the spark is advanced too far it will slow the cranking speed. So will excess carbon buildup in the heads (raises effective compression ratio.) | | |
#21636 03/28/2004 6:17 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 | If you are running headers, you may need to build a heatshield to keep the starter cooler. If it starts O.K. cold, you probably need to retard the timing until it cranks normally also.
Scott | | |
#21637 03/28/2004 11:54 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 5 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 5 | Boy, you folks are a great resource, thanks for all the input!
I am waiting for the Pertronix coil, wires and electronic ignition and will check the timing out first after I install them. Process of elimination I guess!!
I will post pictures of this beauty on my website by next week.
Joe S.
69 Chevy C10 4x4
69 Mercedes Unimog 404
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#21638 03/29/2004 3:46 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 17 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 17 | Be sure to check out the battery cables. they may be frayed and eaten partially away. This will cause voltage drop and make starter turn slower than normal. | | |
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