1954 Corvette with starting problems:even with a 2nd battery attached as a jumper assist

I am the 2nd owner of a very original 1954 Corvette (# E545002329) with 88,545 very well documented miles that is undrivable due to starting problems.
Engine rotation on start is very slow and labored and rapidly discharges a fully charged 6 volt battery. It won'dt rotate engine fast enough to start.
The engine runs fine if it will start.
The batteries are new and fully charged
I have cleaned all cables, battery posts and grounding areas
I'm a frustrated retired USAF Fighter pilot (not an electrician) who is searching for assistance.
Thanks,
Steve Dwelle


NCRS Flight 93.4, Potential Survivor

 

Welcome to the forums. Nice ride, where is your battery located (how long are the battery cables)? Fighter pilot my dream job if it wasen't for bad eyes. Have you thought of using a 8 volt battery? There is an option you can do (we used to do it on older farmalls) where we used a 12volt battery and generator, and 6 volt starter no trounle spinning over you can't run the starter for very long periods. it gets warm. swapping the electrical system over to 12 volt then drop the voltage for the gauges. Maybe an option.

 

I'm wondering if you have had the starter motor checked out by an expert or rebuilder to see if the bushings are worn enough to make the starter motor drag.

 

I had the local Starter/generator shop rebuild it to new standards even tho he indicated that it was in pretty good shape. The poor starting scenario was still very bad.

 

Thanks Thomas. I am tempted to try an 8 volt battery. My local expert indicates that it won't hurt anything and can be charged with a 6 volt charger. I'm a bit averse to modifying anything long term as the car is an untouched 1954 with 88,000 miles and NCRS rated it a 93.4 rating.and needs to remain 6 Volt.
Steve

 

At this point I think you need to test the draw of the starter. This takes a large amp meter, it sounds like either a weak battery or dying starter. Just because parts are new doesn't mean they work. It's highly frustrating but I have been replacing new or low mileage newer parts far too frequently lately.

 

Check out the + and - cables real close maybe swap them for new ones to see if there is any difference. Maybe try a different starter. 6 Volt systems never spun over very fast, but faster than a crank.

 

After cranking it over as minute or so touch the battery cable ends and see if they are getting hot. Positive and negative terminals.

 

You may need to pull the starter and make sure it's a 6V starter. If it was recently gone through they could have put a 12 volt winding in it.

 

Welcome to the forum. Make sure the battery cable terminations at both ends, positive and negative, are clean and tight. Also check the voltage at the starter terminal when it's being turned over to see if it's getting close to the battery voltage. The starter solenoid contacts may also be burned and not allowing full battery voltage to get to the starter windings.