When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've tried searching the internet and various threads here. I have a 68' with a 327 4 speed. It hadn't been started in about 12 years. I prepped it before trying to start it before anyone yells. Anyway, when I go to start it the starter motor turns over very slow and it seems to turn slower and slower. I put a new battery in before trying to start it. Pulled that and had it tested. I have pulled the starter and bench tested it and it seems fine. I shined the engine mount before putting it back in. I pulled the negative cable from the frame and sanded it shiny bright. Still the same. I have tried attaching jumper cables from my F250 with similar results.
To top it off I'm chasing a timing issue. Sometimes I can get the engine to catch and it runs rough for a few seconds. LOL, my neighbor who rebuilds cars is suggesting an LS1 motor and call it a day. My car is not original so I'm not opposed to a new engine but not if I don't have to
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
make sure you have a ground from the engine to the frame. If it still persists pull all the plugs and rotate it by hand to see if there is a lot of drag. YOu did change the oil and then prime the oil pump to get oil to all the bearings and lifters correct...IF not the lifters might not be openning and your fighting yourself plus the piston rings are just dragging in the cylinders. Or the starter is just tired, spinning with a load and without are 2 different things. IF your buddy is a hotshot mechanic see if he has a new starter lay8ing around you can borrow. LS motors are the new rage...no big deal really, just factor rollers and good flowing heads. THey still need to get a decent cam to make big power. The benefits are the roller cams, o ring intakes and pans, but they dont have mechanical fuel pump provisions and you have to either buy a Holley computer harnesses and use the individual coil packs or buy a front distributor kit...theres a lot of expensive stuff they wont talk about
The LS motor isn't really an option I'm looking at.
The starter appears brand new. A lot of parts were replaced. New radiator, alternator, professionally rebuilt carb. I think the motor may have been rebuilt. Mystery oil was put in and the oil put turned to get oil up to the lifters and cylinders. I drained that oil and put in 20/50 Valvoline. I've pulled the plugs and turned the crank. It was easier than with the plugs but still not real easy and never having done it before I am not sure how hard it should be. It's dark now but I'll check to see if the engine is grounded to the frame in the morning. Thank you for the response.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
try turning it over without the plugs in it...it could be 180 degrees out or worse and its trying to fire on the intake stroke or trying to run backwards....
I have spark and fuel. It catches and about 3-5 seconds but is very rough. The starter/battery don't seem to want to turn it over much after the first try.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Call around, you might be able to find a place that will test it for free. Autozone and Oreilly still does around here. Thrres a auto electric guy that rebuilds starters and alternator ls and he will as well. Maybe you will have someone down there
Your starter windings are likey ruined from sitting....not super common but it does happen.....as mentioned above, the amp draw when this happens increases like 2-3x.......and power goes way down.....
Bolt a new starter on it......a bench test is worthless.....not under a load.....
E-mail member Lars for his timing papers and follow them......eliminate guessing......
Lars is at: V8fastcars@msn.com
So after looking around by the starter I found a cable tucked up. It was attached to the chassis and after a you tube vide I learned where to connect it. Also found a bracket that was supposed to be installed on the back of the starter in one of the parts bins I got with the car. It sure would be easier to put back together if I had be the one to take it apart. I look at parts from the bin and go to the build book to try and find where they go. Maybe spring is too ambitious a target to be driving. Oh well, thanks again for all the helpful replies.