The Ford Barn

HCash · 11-19-2015, 08:42 AM

When I first engage the starter on my 31 coupe it turns over very slowly, like it's not getting enough power from the battery. After several very slow revolutions it seems to pick up speed. Is this normal with the Model A or do I have a problem? I have a 27 model T and it spins normally. Harv.

2manycars · 11-19-2015, 09:07 AM

Have you taken the starter off to check the brushes and bushings? Perhaps it is ready for a rebuild.

Mitch//pa · 11-19-2015, 09:21 AM

crank it with the key off... this takes the ignition system out of the equation... if it still cranks slow with the key off check the battery to frame connection / sand it off, all other battery connections, cables, ends, make sure you have the correct size cables, battery itself, starter would be last.
if it cranks normal speed with the key off check your igniton timing first.,,,
final note always start the car with the lever in the retard position...

Kurt in NJ · 11-19-2015, 09:32 AM

Sometimes grease or oil on the commutator will cause this

also a bad connection ---crank the engine for 15 seconds with the ignition off and feel all the connections--both ground and power , any that are hot are bad connections or too thin of a wire

Tom Wesenberg · 11-19-2015, 11:16 AM

If the electrical connections are good, then it may be time for a starter rebuild. Look at the armature and field pole shoes for evidence of rubbing. The rear bushing (drive end) is the one that takes all the load and wears out first. I almost never have to replace the brush end bushing. Be sure the commutator is smooth, but DO NOT undercut the insulation between the bars. The ground brushes usually wear about twice as fast as the field brushes, which is fortunate because the field brushes need a good size soldering iron or soldering gun to replace them. The ground brushes are simply screwed in place.

A 6" piece of coat hanger with a loop on one end and a small 90* hook on the other end makes a handy tool to lift the brush spring to install the 4 brushes. Be sure the bushings get a dab of grease.

CarlG · 11-19-2015, 11:51 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

...
A 6" piece of coat hanger with a loop on one end and a small 90* hook on the other end makes a handy tool to lift the brush spring to install the 4 brushes...

One of these should work also. Couple of bucks at HF.

1931 flamingo · 11-19-2015, 01:48 PM

Timing?? Good clean grounds are a MUST.
Paul in CT

burner31 · 11-19-2015, 02:24 PM

Repeat after me...Clean ground points

Big hammer · 11-19-2015, 05:41 PM

The title dragging starter reminded me of gpa trading a used up A for a better used A
Upon driving in the dealership, his battery fell down! Maybe we should all due more maintaince on our batteries, remove seats, remove floor boards, remove battery, clean ground, cables, holders, reinstall :-)

11-19-2015, 08:42 AM	#1
HCash Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 21	Starter dragging question When I first engage the starter on my 31 coupe it turns over very slowly, like it's not getting enough power from the battery. After several very slow revolutions it seems to pick up speed. Is this normal with the Model A or do I have a problem? I have a 27 model T and it spins normally. Harv.

11-19-2015, 09:07 AM	#2
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Starter dragging question Have you taken the starter off to check the brushes and bushings? Perhaps it is ready for a rebuild.

11-19-2015, 09:21 AM	#3
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Starter dragging question crank it with the key off... this takes the ignition system out of the equation... if it still cranks slow with the key off check the battery to frame connection / sand it off, all other battery connections, cables, ends, make sure you have the correct size cables, battery itself, starter would be last. if it cranks normal speed with the key off check your igniton timing first.,,, final note always start the car with the lever in the retard position...

11-19-2015, 09:32 AM	#4
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,173	Re: Starter dragging question Sometimes grease or oil on the commutator will cause this also a bad connection ---crank the engine for 15 seconds with the ignition off and feel all the connections--both ground and power , any that are hot are bad connections or too thin of a wire

11-19-2015, 11:16 AM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Starter dragging question If the electrical connections are good, then it may be time for a starter rebuild. Look at the armature and field pole shoes for evidence of rubbing. The rear bushing (drive end) is the one that takes all the load and wears out first. I almost never have to replace the brush end bushing. Be sure the commutator is smooth, but DO NOT undercut the insulation between the bars. The ground brushes usually wear about twice as fast as the field brushes, which is fortunate because the field brushes need a good size soldering iron or soldering gun to replace them. The ground brushes are simply screwed in place. A 6" piece of coat hanger with a loop on one end and a small 90* hook on the other end makes a handy tool to lift the brush spring to install the 4 brushes. Be sure the bushings get a dab of grease.

11-19-2015, 01:48 PM	#7
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,393	Re: Starter dragging question Timing?? Good clean grounds are a MUST. Paul in CT

11-19-2015, 02:24 PM	#8
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: Starter dragging question Repeat after me...Clean ground points __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

11-19-2015, 05:41 PM	#9
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,151	Re: Starter dragging question The title dragging starter reminded me of gpa trading a used up A for a better used A Upon driving in the dealership, his battery fell down! Maybe we should all due more maintaince on our batteries, remove seats, remove floor boards, remove battery, clean ground, cables, holders, reinstall :-)