The Ford Barn

Macdozer · 10-05-2016, 05:34 PM

Got my 59AB engine together and it starts up and runs fine.

But after running it and bringing it up to temp if you shut it off it won't turn over.
It tries and moves just a little bit then stops. If you let it sit for a few hours it will start just fine.

I have a new starter and a rebuilt generator. All wires and grounds are clean and tight.
When running the amp gauge shows negative charge.
Just wanted to ask what I should be checking.

40cpe · 10-05-2016, 05:43 PM

Check voltage at the battery with the engine running 1500 or so RPM. Assuming it is still 6 volt, you should have in the 7.4V range. If it checks, your ammeter is wired backwards.

What size are your cables? You need at least #1 on 6V. Connect your ground lead directly to the engine. Has your battery been verified good?

GB SISSON · 10-05-2016, 06:21 PM

Will it turn over by hand? Is it that the starter is trying to turn the engine over, but the engine is too tight when hot? Ring end gaps?

Jim in Wisconsin · 10-05-2016, 07:03 PM

If the ammeter reads backwards, it couild be the battery connections are reversed. If it's still 6 volt the postive terminal should be grounded.

Capt Kirk · 10-05-2016, 08:13 PM

I have read here that "new" doesn't always mean good. When I first restored my car, I had a similar problem. Took the original starter and generator in to an "old time" shop to get tested and both checked out fine. Starting system wire size is important for 6v systems...need to be the size of your "pinky finger". I added a wire to make a more direct route to the starter and that solved my problem for the most part. I was running a script lead acid battery and still wasn't happy with the way it cranked. Last year, I switched to a 6v Optima and the difference is amazing. You've got negative charging so that needs to get figured out but the battery and wire size is important.

my4dv8 · 10-06-2016, 01:49 PM

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What was done to the engine by way of a rebuild? I presume this is what you mean by "got it together" .
If the rings were not gap checked before assembly thie could be a problem and the may expand when hot and cause resistance till cool.

Ol' Ron · 10-06-2016, 05:27 PM

Tight pistons will do that.

jetmek · 10-06-2016, 10:40 PM

A new starter doesn't mean its any good...put a socket on the pulley nut when its hot and see if it turns

flatheadmurre · 10-06-2016, 11:24 PM

The negative charging readout can be anything from wrong connection/routing of the cable at the instrument to battery polarity issues or generator being polarised the wrong way.
Pull the sparkplugs and turn the engine by hand when hot if it drags badly you got clearance issues to deal with.

10-05-2016, 05:43 PM	#2
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: Rebuilt engine not turning over Check voltage at the battery with the engine running 1500 or so RPM. Assuming it is still 6 volt, you should have in the 7.4V range. If it checks, your ammeter is wired backwards. What size are your cables? You need at least #1 on 6V. Connect your ground lead directly to the engine. Has your battery been verified good?

10-05-2016, 06:21 PM	#3
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,935	Re: Rebuilt engine not turning over Will it turn over by hand? Is it that the starter is trying to turn the engine over, but the engine is too tight when hot? Ring end gaps? __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

10-05-2016, 07:03 PM	#4
Jim in Wisconsin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 247	Re: Rebuilt engine not turning over If the ammeter reads backwards, it couild be the battery connections are reversed. If it's still 6 volt the postive terminal should be grounded.

10-05-2016, 08:13 PM	#5
Capt Kirk Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Clarkston MI Posts: 830	Re: Rebuilt engine not turning over I have read here that "new" doesn't always mean good. When I first restored my car, I had a similar problem. Took the original starter and generator in to an "old time" shop to get tested and both checked out fine. Starting system wire size is important for 6v systems...need to be the size of your "pinky finger". I added a wire to make a more direct route to the starter and that solved my problem for the most part. I was running a script lead acid battery and still wasn't happy with the way it cranked. Last year, I switched to a 6v Optima and the difference is amazing. You've got negative charging so that needs to get figured out but the battery and wire size is important. __________________ 35 Ford Cabriolet 56 Chevy Pickup 63 VW Bug Empty wallet

10-06-2016, 01:49 PM	#6
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,112	Re: Rebuilt engine not turning over Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) What was done to the engine by way of a rebuild? I presume this is what you mean by "got it together" . If the rings were not gap checked before assembly thie could be a problem and the may expand when hot and cause resistance till cool.

10-05-2016, 05:34 PM	#1
Macdozer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Central NH Posts: 192	Rebuilt engine not turning over Got my 59AB engine together and it starts up and runs fine. But after running it and bringing it up to temp if you shut it off it won't turn over. It tries and moves just a little bit then stops. If you let it sit for a few hours it will start just fine. I have a new starter and a rebuilt generator. All wires and grounds are clean and tight. When running the amp gauge shows negative charge. Just wanted to ask what I should be checking.

10-06-2016, 05:27 PM	#7
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: Rebuilt engine not turning over Tight pistons will do that.

10-06-2016, 10:40 PM	#8
jetmek Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: albany Posts: 466	Re: Rebuilt engine not turning over A new starter doesn't mean its any good...put a socket on the pulley nut when its hot and see if it turns __________________ engine and component overhauls my specialty! Website- www.godevilgarage.com

10-06-2016, 11:24 PM	#9
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: Rebuilt engine not turning over The negative charging readout can be anything from wrong connection/routing of the cable at the instrument to battery polarity issues or generator being polarised the wrong way. Pull the sparkplugs and turn the engine by hand when hot if it drags badly you got clearance issues to deal with.