Expert: Brad Sears - 2/22/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello Brad,
I just purchased a 1954 chevy 210, with a 235 straight six, I have been having a problem with the starter turning over once the engine is hot, seems to turn over and start fine once the engine is cool, but it has left me stranded in town due to the engine being warmed up. is this a timing issue??, engine sounds great when running though? also i have a problem with getting the starter to even turn over, i will turn the ignition and all i get is a clicking noise from the starter?? thanks for your help

ANSWER: How old is the battery and have you had it load tested? Let me know.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have just purchased the battery brand new, and when i put it on my charger, it reads between 6.4 and 7.2 volts, so i assumed it's good

ANSWER: Charging voltage does not mean a whole heck of a lot. It is the at rest voltage an hour or so after you stop charging that is more important and a 6 volt battery should show about 6.4 volts then. Do you have a voltmeter?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i do i will check the battery today, since it has been sitting all night and see what it reads, if it is reading around 6.4 or so, what's my next plan of action??

Answer
Then pull the coil wire so that the engine will not start. Attach the voltmeter across the battery and crank the engine for 15 seconds. If the voltmeter is below 4.5 volts with the engine cranking at the end of 15 seconds the battery is probably bad. If the voltage drops to below 9 volts at the begriming of the 15 seconds of cranking I would suspect that the starter is bad, and that would account for the hard starting when hot. After the cranking test start the engine leaving the voltmeter connected. Bring the engine up to about 1500 RPM and observe the voltmeter. It should be 6.5 to 7 volts. If lower than that it indicates that the charging system is not putting out. That could account for hard starting when warm as the battery could be just running down when running. me know what reading you get.
Brad