starting issue

Ellis Kinney · Apr 25, 2016

Farmall M--- It cranks and starts well when cold. It is charging well according to the gauge. After a 2 or 3 hour run time for chores, it cranks slowly. I am sure of the battery, I am using the Optima 6 volt. Also new wiring harness. It has been converted to electronic ignition. All ideas are welcome. Thanks, Ellis

old · Apr 25, 2016

Timing set a bit to advanced will cause a problem like that. As will battery cables that are to small. If you do not have them you need 0 or 00 cables for 6 volts

Ellis Kinney · Apr 25, 2016

I don't know the gauge, but I'm using large welding cables for all three. Ellis

kevinj54 · Apr 25, 2016

Does that optima have enough CCA?

I looked at them and only seen lower amps like an H would use.

teddy52food · Apr 25, 2016

Starter bushings may be loose. Also put a good carbon pile load test on that battery too.

notjustair · Apr 25, 2016

Sounds like a bad cell in a battery, but I don't know how Optima's work. We had one like that one time in a 78 Malibu. You didn't dare shut it off if you were on a long trip.

BarnyardEngineering · Apr 26, 2016

If it was a dead cell in the battery, or a problem with the starter bushings why would it crank better when cold?

teddy52food · Apr 26, 2016

A hot engine is tighter. Armature of the starter expands when hot & drags on the field poles.

David G · Apr 26, 2016

An engine will crank really hard when really cold, then hard when hot due to increased compression and tighter clearances.

starting issue

Ellis Kinney

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Ellis Kinney

Well-known Member

kevinj54

Well-known Member

teddy52food

Well-known Member

notjustair

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

teddy52food

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

Similar threads