Treetopflyer

After problem after problem, I finally had the rebuilt engine up and running. Ran it three times, each time for about 30 seconds. The third time it sounded perfect, in fact I questioned whether I should put the timing light on it, but I shut it off and hooked the timing light up. Went to start it up again and the engine turned really slow, almost as though the battery was going dead.

I charged the battery overnight and tried again in the AM. Same thing, the engine cranked really slowly. So, I took the battery to the local auto parts store and had them test it. Battery checked out good. Put the battery back in fully charged, same thing. So, I bought a new battery to make sure that it was not a fluke in testing out the old battery; it was seven years old anyway. With the new battery, same thing, engine cranked slow and then died out like the battery went dead.

I then took the spark plugs out to see if perhaps I was getting a compression build up for whatever reason. Still cranked slow and then stopped like the battery went dead.

So, I say to myself, “the new starter I put in must be bad.” Took it back to the store to test it and it did not sound right on the test bench, so they gave me a new one. The new one sounded perfect on the test bench and it tested good. Put it in, and the same f-ing thing! Engine cranks slow and dies out like the battery is going dead.

For the first time in ten years, I actually thought about selling the car. I am at a loss for ideas on this one. I thought it might be a bearing, but it would not even crank if it was that, and even then it cranks and then dies out like the battery is dead.

The starter does get hot, not so hot that I can’t touch it, but hot enough that I could not leave my hand on it for very long.

Anyone have any ideas on this? I am even willing to take the craziest theories on this one.

Treetopflyer

And Yes it is getting oil.

simard

Did the new starter have a new solenoid? Could be a poor cable connection or terminal end. Good luck.

67's

Is your Distributor hold down tight? You might have advanced or retarded the timing with just the running of the car.

Chuck72

First of all, take 'eer eaasy! They sure can be frustrating.
Check all 4 battery connections, esp. neg cable to frame. Clean 'em all.
Others will have more input.
A tall cold one would help a bunch.
Chuck

MikeM

How much do you want for the POS?

Where do you think the rest of us got our start?

magicv8

With the plugs out, you should be able to grab a fan belt and turn the engine over by hand. Can you?

Treetopflyer

OK,
-Brand new starter and solenoid.
-Brand new battery cables.
-Tried several locations for ground to make sure I had a good one.
-Distributor is tight. It was running perfect when I shut the engine off.
-Just cracked open a cold one and waiting for some sage advice.

jdk971

relax bubba. these vehicles take money, time, help and most of all frustration. but in the
end it is worth it. at least i think so. i do not want to go into what i have been going thru.
this site will help figure out your problems. so again just walk a way for a while. best of
luck and it will be worth it. jim

Treetopflyer

This engine is a rebuild. It cranked over just fine the three times I started it and every other time before it actually started.

69ttop502

The fact that this happened after you adjusted the timing would lead me in that direction. Maybe verify top dead center at the valves and with test light to see when the points close up in relation to the rotor position. Maybe try a different timing light, but I will bet your answer is there somewhere.

Maybe I am making a wrong assumption here that you moved the timing.

Bill

vettsplit 63

If it were mine, I would be pulling the pan and checking my bearing clearances.

Railroadman

I agree with pulling the plugs and trying to turn it by hand, or a socket on the crank pulley. It's POSSIBLE there's a bearing issue and it has not set up completely. If it spins freely by hand you know you might have some sort of starter-related issue.

Let us know what you find out.

1snake

That's the first place to start. If you can, you just ruled out everything mechanical inside the engine. If you can't, you have major problems.

Jim

Blk63Vette

Yeah i know what you mean...

Walk Away from it today....Its always better with a fresh head...My 63 has fought me every step of the way through the blood, sweat, and tears.... from breaking very rusty window channel bolts (mind you put many many soaking of rust buster over a week period didnt matter......Recently i had the pleasure of scrapping off a ungodly amount of glue the last person used to put carpet in.. then putting the new carpet in..I thought it would be easy..but then again Nothing ever is on my car.....putting the "63 only" y ducting and little only 63 ducting that goes out the side..To putting the side panels on... All from different 63 Corvette..All original that didnt fit worth a sh*t ....Its usually at 3am after many hours of working on my car.. Im tired and pissed off at the car nothing is going right!!...I think about selling it and be done with "old cars"..and Buy a new car...

However, when its all done...and looks and functions right..Its worth all the B.S. and money I just poured into my old Vette...

Did you check the

Alternator???

voltage regulator??

Good Luck..Hang Tight..

MikeM

In all seriousness, I would go find someone who knows what they're doing and let them look at your engine. It may be very minor, it may be very serious.

That person could tell what wrong just by turning it over several times on the starter motor.

Treetopflyer

The engine will turn over three or four times and then slowes down and stops. The same symptoms as if the battery went dead. I wait five minutes and try again, it does the same thing, turns over a couple of times and then dies out.

Pilot Dan

Yup, see how it turns by hand and report back, (tomorrow) should turn smoothly and free. Did you adjust the valves before running the engine??? Sounds like either a timing issue or something was unhappy when it ran. For tonight, keep the cold ones coming and get a good nights sleep. Pilot Dan

DEBrahms

>>I am even willing to take the craziest theories on this one.<<

Ballast resistor?

Dave

Treetopflyer

Ok, you guys have talked me off of the ledge. I am going to have another cold frosty beverage, regroup and reattack tomorrow.