C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Slow starter

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 04:57 PM
  #1  
PatM59's Avatar
PatM59
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 50
Likes: 17
From: NJ
Default Slow starter

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

Any new ideas would be appreciated.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 05:40 PM
  #2  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,212
Likes: 9,350
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

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
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 07:43 PM
  #3  
PatM59's Avatar
PatM59
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 50
Likes: 17
From: NJ
Default

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.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 07:56 PM
  #4  
n2h2o2's Avatar
n2h2o2
Pro
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 728
Likes: 346
From: Smyrna, TN
Default

20w 50 is a bit thick unless it is a racing engine in Florida in the summertime.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 08:01 PM
  #5  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,212
Likes: 9,350
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

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....
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 08:54 PM
  #6  
calwldlife's Avatar
calwldlife
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Default

was a time parts houses would test starters.
free spinning is one thing, but the amp draw will tell you
if its bad
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 10:12 PM
  #7  
Bikespace's Avatar
Bikespace
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Default

Do you have spark, fuel, and compression?

If not, LS swap!
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2023 | 10:38 PM
  #8  
PatM59's Avatar
PatM59
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 50
Likes: 17
From: NJ
Default

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.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 05:13 AM
  #9  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,212
Likes: 9,350
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

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
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 07:32 AM
  #10  
Jebbysan's Avatar
Jebbysan
Dr. Detroit
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Default

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

Jebby
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 08:31 AM
  #11  
PatM59's Avatar
PatM59
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 50
Likes: 17
From: NJ
Default

Thank you
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2023 | 05:39 PM
  #12  
PatM59's Avatar
PatM59
Thread Starter
Advanced
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 50
Likes: 17
From: NJ
Default

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.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Slow starter





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:33 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE