video of my 79 starting problem?

[liv2ryde]

I have put in a new starter, the last one died, I am suspecting something killed it.... Listen to this new starter, does it sound like something is wrong? Maybe the wrong flexplate is in there? It's a staggered 2 bolt mounting starter. (350/350) Maybe I need to shim my starter? I did shim it out about 1/16th and it didn't sound any different, so it has no shims in it right now. Ever hear this before? It just seems like something is holding the engine back and in turn creating a heavy load for the starter. Also the battery is new and has a good charge. Hear any other noises I should look into also? All comments welcome as I am just learning and trying to get this truck together. Thank You

http://www.bikemovies.com/movie/011431/

[menace121978]

man i listened to that 3 times! my 1st thought was the timings to far advanced... but now i'm thinking that its a bad starter. how did your other one sound before it went out? i remember replacing mine at least 10 times w/ rebuilt starters over the course of a year after we had a new 350 put in. sounded just like that...

[77 350 Shorty Wide]

Good Morning,

Sounds to me like the starter isn't getting all the amperage it needs when first contact is made. I suggest checking all connections on positve and negative battery cables.

Could also be a low or bad battery. Even a bad starter solenoid.

I also recommend you don't mess with a rebuilt, go NEW... unless you know the rebuilder or it's a good quality rebuild. My .02 cents.

To much advance can cause this as well. If all the above is known to tb at it's optimum... then check the timing.

God Bless, Terry

[liv2ryde]

The starter is a rebuilt, so yeah I may have to spend some more money there. What is it about the timing being to far advanced that causes this sort of thing? I tried to check the timing, I can not get a clear look with the timing light, so looks like I need to remove the power steering to see timing.

[Sniper X]

Well first, let me say your truck sounds tricker than crap! Love the cam in that thing! Second on the starter, I think the timing may be advanced a little too much, but the starter on my big block truck sounds like that and I think it is the timing too. I am going to tune mine as son as I get time....no pun intended! And time it spot on. See if that cures it. BTW, most motors I have ever heard that have a hot com in them sound like that while starting. In fact, everything I have ever owned with a hot cam in it starts like that. You can buy a high torque starter from Summet and other hot rod online distributors.

[b454rat]

My 454 is doing the same thing. It's sitting on an engine stand, and want to hear it run before I put it in my truck. Bought it without hearing it run.

But I think it's bad connections and maybe a weak starter. I broke the snout off one starter already from the gear kicking back....Going with a mini starter soon as I get some money. Sounds cool too.

[cobb]

i agree man sounds like its too advanced turn it back a little to see if it starts any better if not then i would look at the power supply

[3r!c84]

mine sounds like that when it starts. mine will spin for a good 3 sec. befor start when cold.then after running if i shut it off its hard to crank like a dead battery but it still fires right up.i dont know how to check the timing.i dont have a light

[83burban]

Check the cables. All to often the starter or battery isn't the problem...those wire get old and brittle and can really be a drain on the cranking power.

Love the sound by the way

[liv2ryde]

Thanks guys! So I notice my headlights do not work! ?? Not at all, blinkers work, tail lights work, but no headlights at all, not even dim headlights. It also seems my battery is not charging, I took the truck for a drive yesterday after realizing my battery was getting weak and it didn't charge at all when I got home the battery was too dead to restart the truck. I put it on the charger last night to start it today and was going to take the alternator off to replace when I remembered the headlights did not work at all even when the battery has enough power to start the truck. So maybe that is something else? A fuse, a relay? Also I checked the timing with a timing light and it looks like it is landing at about 6 degrees... Thank you