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TR2/3/3A Cranking Speed

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frankfast

Jedi Trainee
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Recently made the transition to negative ground and added a Flamethrower distributor. Car won't start and battery seems to die almost immediately although still measuring above 14 volts. At first doesn't seem to spin the motor fast enough and dies after a few attempts. I am getting above 12 volts at distributor and solenoid. Any thoughts?

Using a 2 gauge lead from the positive terminal of the battery to the solenoid and a 4 gauge lead from the negative to the ground.
 
One possibility is a poor or dirty connection. Try removing and cleaning your primary wiring to the starter and battery.
 
Remember there is or should be a ground strap from the motor to the frame when you are checking connections.

David
 
I had exactly the same problem a few years back; turned out to be a flaw in the nearly-new battery. The voltage was drooping so much under load (from the starter) that the Pertronix module wouldn't work at all.

After switching back to points it would usually start within the few seconds of cranking; but the battery failed entirely (wouldn't crank at all) fairly soon after that. Even when it wouldn't turn the engine at all, the parts store battery tester showed it was "70% charged"!
 
Found the connection to the stater motor slightly loose. Took it off and cleaned it up with some brake cleaner (although it appeared pretty clean), tightened it up and the car started right up. Success!!! Thanks for the help. Looks like Charley was right.
 
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