Bob_Spidell
Yoda
Offline
Finally got my rebuilt engine in my BJ8 and started this weekend. At first, it ran rough and backfired, but we spotted a secondary ignition lead shorting out--which probably caused the backfiring--and the timing was inexplicably set way retarded and once that was corrected it runs like the proverbial Swiss watch. Based on my scientific analysis--feeling the exhaust pulses at the tailpipe--this engine is making big bangs so the compression should be excellent (I'm hoping for 160psi on all 6 or better). But--there's always a 'but'--my starter seems to have become impotent as far as cranking the engine when (both are) hot. AFAIK the starter is original and not rebuilt and has nearly 200K miles on it so a rebuild is likely in order but are our old Lucas starters up to motivating a fresh engine with good compression? I really don't want to go with a gear reduction starter, but if the old Lucas whiffs what else can I do?