slow turning engine

[bob in pa]

i have a unusual problem, after not starting my TO35 for a year, I found it slow to turn over. Eventually the starter quit entirely. I had it rebuilt and then re-installed it, same result. Thought perhaps the motor was slightly stuck from sitting so I removed the plugs and poured PB blaster into the cylinders. When I hooked up the charger and tried turning the engine it spun like a top (without the spark plugs installed) when I installed the plugs I had the same slow turning problem. I changed the solenoid to 12v to match the battery. The starter is still 6v. Help me please someone?

 

[Inno]

Is the battery in good shape? For clarification, you have a 12V battery, a 6V starter, what is the rest of the electrical system, 6 or 12V? Generator, coil, regulator etc.
The starter being 6V and the battery being 12V will not be great for the starter but better than giving 6V to a 12V starter. The solenoid shouldn't matter too much. Grounding is a big deal, especially where the starter mounts to the engine, a poor ground there or from batt. to chassis will cause what you describe.
Ultimately, all of your electrical components should match, all 6 or all 12V. You can't really do half of a conversion, it just won't work well.

 

[Bruce(OR)]

Dirty/rusty ground connection(s).
Take 'em off, clean 'em up an' grease them to prevent future corrosion.

 

[JDemaris]

The 6 volt starter is designed to crank the engine at a "normal" 300 RPM with 4.5 volts. Since you've got a 12 volt battery is should be cranking fast with 9.5-10 volts at the starter. Check the voltage when cranking.

 

[John(UK)]

If you haven't moved the ground lead from the back of the Dash panel, You should fit a longer one and attach it to one of the bolts close to the Starter. That will cut out any insulation that is caused by rust etc. John(UK)

 

[bob in pa]

I did all the usual cleaning of ground and other
connections, although relocating the ground from the
dash panel sounds like a good idea. My dilemma is
that the engine spins fine with the spark plugs
removed, but too slow to start with the plugs in
place. It makes no sense to me. The starter is 6
volts but the rest of the system has been converted
to 12 volts.

 

[Inno]

The engine will always spin slower when the plugs are installed due to compression. It will spin a lot faster with them out.
Have you been able to get it started at all ? Maybe try pulling it.
When you say you had the starter rebuilt, to what extent? The starter on my TO35 was turning slow but would start the tractor then eventually it quit, much like yours. I took it apart and cleaned it etc. and did what I know to do and it worked a little better but it was still drawing excessive current. I eventually had to replace it with a remanufactured one. It now spins over very fast and starts well.
And DEFINITELY relocate the ground wire!!

 

[bob in pa]

I had the starter rebuilt by a very reputable shop
here. Cost me 60.00. I have had other work performed
by them, very satisfactory. I guess I will try
pulling it. After I relocate the ground cable.
Thanks

 

[Tony in Mass.]

Sounds like you need a 'load test' of your battery. Just because the bat is 12v and the starter 6, doesn't mean a 12 volt battery that is on its way out will do the job.
Take your car, and a set of jumper cables, and jump to the starter directly. I bet it will turn over really fast when you do that.
Another thought- is it now negative ground? My Cockshutt needed to be 12 volt, but wouldn't run on neg grd, I had to leave it positive ground.. which is unusual in this millennium...

 

[greg3888]

Did you clean were the starter mounts to the bell housing. One time I cleaned all the contacts no luck then I removed the starter it was rusted and had paint on it, cleaned both surfaces, made a big difference. worth a try. Greg