Cranking problems

[Taylor Matthews]

My 54, is original 6v system. 235 engine. New battery, starter, coil, ground wire. Polished the ground points, battery is grounded to bell house. Turns over slow, to no movement. I am at a point of what I’m doing wrong.

 

[Bill Hanlon]

Turn on the headlights and watch them while someone else operates the starter.

Do the headlights ...
... stay bright?
... go dim?
... go out completely?

Shut off the headlights.

If go dim or out completely and you have a DC voltmeter available ...
... set the meter to read approximately 6 volts DC
... touch the red lead of the meter to the positive post of the battery (not the battery cable).
... touch the black lead of the meter to the negative post of the battery (not the battery cable).
... record the voltage reading as reading 1
... have the helper turn on the key, headlights, push the brake pedal
... record the voltage reading as reading 2
... have the helper turn off the headlights and release the brake pedal
... have the helper operate the starter.
... record the voltage reading while trying to start the engine as reading 3

Post results of the tests.

 

[vwnate1]

What Bill said .

 

[Chiro]

Do the above first but consider switching to 12 volts. It's not hard to do. Your 6 volt starter will work fine on 12 volts. Source a 12 volt generator from a '58 truck. 12V voltage regulator from same year truck, voltage drop "Runtz" for the gas gauge/sender, change out all the bulbs (dash, dome, headlights and tails and markers), heavy duty voltage drop resistor for the heater or replace heater motor with a 12v one. Best decision I ever made for my truck.
Andy

 

[vwnate1]

I find that before switching to 12 volts it is wise to take the time to clean and service the entire electrical system as any problems before will remain after the switch .

Up grading to modern 6 volt L.E.D. bulbs throughout is safer and easier than switching to 12 volts, cheaper too .

 

[The Red Truck]

I gotta ask, how big are your cables? I've found most 6v start problems are from using 12v cables, which are as big as your little finger or the cheap ones are about a pencil.

They need to be as big as your thumb. You can test with some heavy duty jump cables.

And I prefer the original style braided ground straps. Nothing wrong with 6v systems they worked in the day.... so long as everything is set right.. and I mean everything. hot battery, cables, grounds, timing, carb and starter in good working order.

 

[vwnate1]

Another hit and split with no manners .

After I tried to help him he messaged me off list and tried to blame me for his bad manners .