Classic/Antique Car Repair/1953 Ford Victoria

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Expert: - 10/24/2010


Question
The car cranks fine for about 3 seconds and then slows quickly like it's a major power drain on the battery. at first I thought I'd bought a defective battery but I exchanged the first one and the new one does the same thing. After trying to start it, if I charge the battery it will do the same thing again. Any Ideas other than cleaning and checking all the terminals,points,cap,rotor and timing?  

Answer
At this point without being there with the car and a good ammeter connected to the circuit and a voltmeter all I can do is give what might be possible problems. The first would be the starter itself. It is a possibility that the bushing are worn and the armature is dragging on the field coils. The second and this would depend on the sound that is being made when trying to start, would be advanced timing. That would sound like the engine trying to kick back. It is also a possible defect in the starter solenoid. The contacts may be burned internally and when heated up cause severe resistance.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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