Won't start! Starter problem?
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
Tyler
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,669
Likes: 365
From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
I would say from years of installing headers at a speed shop you do NOT have a starter/header(exhaust) proximity issue. Many a stock set up is a lot closer than yours. That said heat shields done right are always a good thing. Check you timing (like mentioned) it could have moved slightly over time.
Reading your last post it sounds like you may have had bad armature bushings. Good luck on the new starter install.
Reading your last post it sounds like you may have had bad armature bushings. Good luck on the new starter install.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
I just tried it again, and now the starter is having a hard time cranking the engine again. I'm starting to worry there is some kind of binding going on in the engine itself somewhere. Hoping praying that is not the case. 
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 19
From: Austin
Hey Tyler,
Frustrating... We also have a 351W & were having starting/cranking problems. We tried all sorts of interesting things.
Ended up being a simple problem with the Battery cable ends. We replaced them with heavy duty brass? ones
& now we get enough juice to start right up.
Disregard if this makes no sense.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Frustrating... We also have a 351W & were having starting/cranking problems. We tried all sorts of interesting things.
Ended up being a simple problem with the Battery cable ends. We replaced them with heavy duty brass? ones
& now we get enough juice to start right up.
Disregard if this makes no sense.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
Hey Tyler,
Frustrating... We also have a 351W & were having starting/cranking problems. We tried all sorts of interesting things.
Ended up being a simple problem with the Battery cable ends. We replaced them with heavy duty brass? ones
& now we get enough juice to start right up.
Disregard if this makes no sense.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Frustrating... We also have a 351W & were having starting/cranking problems. We tried all sorts of interesting things.
Ended up being a simple problem with the Battery cable ends. We replaced them with heavy duty brass? ones
& now we get enough juice to start right up.
Disregard if this makes no sense.
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
I'm gonna have to do that. Will try first thing in the morning. t
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
FIXED! And I'm an idiot! 
It was a bad battery all along. I checked my battery voltage and it was at 11.5V. In my ignorance I figured that was enough to start the motor and that was all I needed to check to verify that the battery was good. Now I know different: the battery really oughta be around 13V or so if its taking a charge AND even if its close to 12V that doesn't necessarily mean it is providing enough amperage to crank the engine. I took it over to the local parts store and they checked it. It was providing only about 250 cold cranking amps, even I know that ain't enough. Got a new battery and it starts and runs just fine. 
As Forest Gump said, "I'm not a smart man..."
Peace!
t
It was a bad battery all along. I checked my battery voltage and it was at 11.5V. In my ignorance I figured that was enough to start the motor and that was all I needed to check to verify that the battery was good. Now I know different: the battery really oughta be around 13V or so if its taking a charge AND even if its close to 12V that doesn't necessarily mean it is providing enough amperage to crank the engine. I took it over to the local parts store and they checked it. It was providing only about 250 cold cranking amps, even I know that ain't enough. Got a new battery and it starts and runs just fine. As Forest Gump said, "I'm not a smart man..."
Peace!
t
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 2
From: Rimrock AZ
FIXED! And I'm an idiot! It was a bad battery all along. I checked my battery voltage and it was at 11.5V. In my ignorance I figured that was enough to start the motor and that was all I needed to check to verify that the battery was good. Now I know different: the battery really oughta be around 13V or so if its taking a charge AND even if its close to 12V that doesn't necessarily mean it is providing enough amperage to crank the engine. I took it over to the local parts store and they checked it. It was providing only about 250 cold cranking amps, even I know that ain't enough. Got a new battery and it starts and runs just fine.
As Forest Gump said, "I'm not a smart man..."
Peace!
t
It was a bad battery all along. I checked my battery voltage and it was at 11.5V. In my ignorance I figured that was enough to start the motor and that was all I needed to check to verify that the battery was good. Now I know different: the battery really oughta be around 13V or so if its taking a charge AND even if its close to 12V that doesn't necessarily mean it is providing enough amperage to crank the engine. I took it over to the local parts store and they checked it. It was providing only about 250 cold cranking amps, even I know that ain't enough. Got a new battery and it starts and runs just fine. As Forest Gump said, "I'm not a smart man..."
Peace!
t
This is a good time to remind everyone, when you have electrical problems of any kind.... Check all connections for cleanliness, take it off and check it not just look at it and assume it's good. Check all ground connections, this has bitten many on this board. Make sure your battery is fully charged, as you know this can cause much lost time and money. I would bet good money that doing these things could cure 80-90% of the electrical problems that are mentioned on the board.
Once again glad you got it fixed. Whenever I have a similar case I chalk it up to a learning experience.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
Tyler, glad you got it fixed! This is a good time to remind everyone, when you have electrical problems of any kind.... Check all connections for cleanliness, take it off and check it not just look at it and assume it's good. Check all ground connections, this has bitten many on this board. Make sure your battery is fully charged, as you know this can cause much lost time and money. I would bet good money that doing these things could cure 80-90% of the electrical problems that are mentioned on the board. Once again glad you got it fixed. Whenever I have a similar case I chalk it up to a learning experience.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
.T
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Stonesetter1
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
May 29, 2015 02:31 PM
mOROTBREATH
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Sep 24, 2013 07:01 PM