I have a 56 f100 with stock 223. It turned over slow when trying to start it. Have starter rebuilt, Headed rebuilt, New grounds, New cam shaft with push rods and still turning over slow. If you take timing chain off and crank seems to turn over freely. So thinking maybe a cam bearing, Has anyone else had this issue. Thanks HaroldMac.

 

Did you get it running? On a first start with fresh bore/rings/pistons, not unusual for there to be a lot of friction. It will break in quickly if everything is in spec. If the chain is still off, see how much effort it takes to rotate the cam. Could the valve lash be set wrong?

 

Thanks, i will check that tomorrow. The engine was not rebuilt, Just trying to get it running like it was, with not very good luck tho, Thanks again for the input.

 

In that case I'd suspect sticking valves.

 

And resultant bent push rods.

 

There was one of the original push rods that had a bend to it. Thats why i replaced them and had head rebuilt. I have been chasing the issue of turning over slowly for a little while now. Maybe this will get me on track. Thanks

 

The cam also turns the oil pump. Is it in known good condition?

 

Not really. Truck set since about 2008. Not sure when last ran. Just turned over in 2008. The way the screen looked on pick up tube i,m glad i had issues to make me pull it out. Dont think it would have ran very long at all.

 

The cam seems to trun over freely, The crank seems to turn over freely, But when timing chain goes on it dont turn over freely. Yes i would say timing chain but its not to tight. Not a new one either.

 

How fast does it turn over with the spark plugs removed?

 

It turns over a little faster but still not fast enough.

 

You're sure your 12v battery has plenty of power? Have you had it load tested? With the spark plugs out, can you turn the engine over by hand at the flywheel or with a wrench on the front pulley? It should turn over easily.

 

The starter may not be any good, or have a bad ground to the block. Also try bypassing the solenoid. Got good cables?

 

Its at my buddies house. He said good battery, I had the starter rebuilt and new ground cables put on frame and battery, It has to be something simple that we are just looking over.

 

We have a long time member on the forum who had flathead V8 starter problems. He had his starter rebuilt, still had no crank problems. Everything checked out. He installed an old known good starter and the truck is still starting every time AFAIK.
1 Can you turn the engine over easily by hand as I asked above?
2 Has the battery been load tested or has it been used to start another engine?

















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