The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk cranking with key off

Dumb move. Showing the '52 1/2 ton to neighbor and tried to start. After about 45 seconds of cranking, I realized key was off (duh). First question: is this how they were set up, to turn over with key off.

After cranking with key on, engine turning too slow to start. Battery is fairly new. Pushed backwards abut 4 mph and bump started, first shot. Second question: Does starter draw that much to flatten battery that quick, or did starter overheat.

Yes, they were set up that way, you need to remember to turn the key on... "duh"
Back then the vast majority of all cars, trucks, and equipment had separate from the ignition switch; a starter button, switch, or linkage.
Probably wasn't as much of a problem then because that's the way they all were.
Now with drivers that are accustomed to combined ignition and start switches it's more of a problem if you can call it that.

Yes, starter draws that much, and you may have also over heated it, or at least got it warm.
It's a general rule of thumb to crank no longer than 5 or 10 seconds at a time and then wait for preferably a few minutes between attempts.
Accomplishes two things, lets the starter cool, and gives the operator time to think about what's going on, why it won't start, and what can be done about it (like turn the ignition on)

Grigg

yes, all the foot start crank without the key on ... yes, the starter draws a lot, way more than anything else, which is why regular electrical system checks are good

your battery may have been a bit low to begin with, and you may have some less than perfect connections, as well as cables that are lighter gauge than 6V needs

get your battery a load test to see if it can really hold a charge well, and check that your cables are heavy enough, not the common off-the-shelf ones meant for 12V

Bill

I had just the opposite problem when mine was on the road. I'd turn the key and think the ignition switch was broken because the key wouldn't turn far enough to run the starter.

I had a '47 Ford sedan with the buton starter, of course that was almost 50 years ago. The memory fades. I do remember(now)don't crank more than 5 seconds. I also remember parking on an incline because of a weak battery (no $$ for new one) and it was so easy to bump start.
That's the great thing about owning this truck, takes you back to a simpler time and stuff and solutions.
Wayne

Most of the time you don't need a key. Just turn the tumbler with a screw driver.

Yep, I used a church key on my 55.1. My '38 isn't that loose yet.