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factory starter too weak?

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Old 09-21-2013, 05:20 PM
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factory starter too weak?

I installed a new factory starter on my 350 and it will not turn the engine over, it just makes a clicking noise as if I have a dead battery. The previous starter that I had on the engine was a hi torque and it always turned it over just fine. I don't have high compression, however I do have a comp 268H cam, the factory starter should turn it over fine right? factory style .40 over pistons and camel hump heads. I can turn the motor over by hand easy, wtf? All connections are good, the battery is in the back of the car though. Is the long power cable keeping it from having enough current?

Last edited by 82Five-O; 09-21-2013 at 05:24 PM.
Old 09-21-2013, 05:24 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

Did you verify you don't have any lose wires? I've seen them pull cars in gear so it should crank just fine. Also have you tried to Jump your starter to see if maybe it'll crank?
Old 09-21-2013, 05:26 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

Originally Posted by maxjivi05
Did you verify you don't have any lose wires? I've seen them pull cars in gear so it should crank just fine. Also have you tried to Jump your starter to see if maybe it'll crank?
I will try to jump the starter to see what happens, and yea all the connections are good
Old 09-21-2013, 06:51 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

Originally Posted by 82Five-O
makes a clicking noise as if I have a dead battery.
Clicking is a indication of low power at the starter

Originally Posted by 82Five-O
the battery is in the back of the car though.
Is the long power cable keeping it from having enough current?
Sure
In a auto circuit, voltage equals the current multiplied by the resistance.
V = I/R

The resistance of the cable increases with longer length so the voltage at the starter goes down ,
which is why you need a much thicker cable for a rear mount batt than if it was in the engine bay
Old 09-21-2013, 07:33 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

Yea its 600 volt 1000 amp electrical wire
Old 09-21-2013, 09:19 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

it is turning the motor over now but very slowlyits like the starter is struggling and I cannot figure out why
Old 09-21-2013, 11:09 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

Have you actually checked your battery?
Old 09-22-2013, 04:12 AM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

Originally Posted by 82Five-O
it is turning the motor over but very slowly
its like the starter is struggling and I cannot figure out why
Like the man said above , have you checked the actual voltage at the battery and at the starter terminal ?


Originally Posted by 82Five-O
its 600 volt 1000 amp electrical wire
What gauge ?
Old 09-22-2013, 03:19 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

double zero gauge
Old 09-22-2013, 03:20 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

I have heard about using lt1 starters
Old 09-22-2013, 03:56 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

Originally Posted by 82Five-O
the starter is struggling and I cannot figure out why
So figure out where your problem lies 1st

Take the battery out and jump it straight to the starter.
Does it turn over better ?

If not ,the starter is your problem.
If so ,your wiring is the problem

Originally Posted by 82Five-O
I have heard about using lt1 starters
Won't make any difference if there is not enough grunt to the starter
Old 09-22-2013, 10:09 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

At this point id say go buy a $300 starter, cause thats all op seems to be interested in.

But i would check the battery, i just replaced my 8 month old battery that showed 11.5volt on gauge and wouldnt crank motor at all, just click, it had one dead cell.
Old 09-22-2013, 10:26 PM
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Re: factory starter too weak?

everything is fine it just won't turn my motor over. I'm going with LT 1I guess
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