1650 cranks slow - usually

[fleetlines]

My K341 cranks slow most of the time but not all the time. I've set the timing, put in new points, plug, coil, condenser. Cleaned the carbon and replaced the gasket. Checked connections and all was well. When it was apart I could see the exhaust valve lift for the ACR. After that it cranked fine again but in short order it was slowed. I even tried jumping straight to the starter and it was slow. Previously I did replace the starter with another used one and it cranked fine for a little bit. It seems to me it is not releasing the pressure because of the pressure coming out of the carb. Could the ACR be intermittently working?

[fleetlines]

Because I can't find anything about intermittent slow cranking I figure this is not a common problem. I read about the hydro fluid being thick could cause slow cranking which could be affected by temp in my mind. Any thoughts? I'm left with thinking the starter could be the culprit. In the fall it seemed like a cold temp issue but I brought it in a heated space and now it's acting up in a room heated or cold. Of course time has gone and so the problem could have gotten worse but it did crank properly a few times lately as well. Any ideas at all?

[IACubCadet]

I have an idea. Its a lot of work but it might save you some $$

Check your clearances between the valve and the lifter on your exhaust valve. Make sure they are at .020. If they are, try tightening up the clearance...say .010. This will allow the exhaust valve to "raise" up just a little more when the ACR kicks in. This could tell you if your ACR is not working properly. I did this to a 107 to soon find out the ACR isnt quite right.

This is obviously a test and shouldnt be run this way for the long run. It will cause you to lose power.

Its just an idea. Hope this helps.

[fleetlines]

Originally Posted by IACubCadet

I have an idea. Its a lot of work but it might save you some $$

Check your clearances between the valve and the lifter on your exhaust valve. Make sure they are at .020. If they are, try tightening up the clearance...say .010. This will allow the exhaust valve to "raise" up just a little more when the ACR kicks in. This could tell you if your ACR is not working properly. I did this to a 107 to soon find out the ACR isnt quite right.

This is obviously a test and shouldnt be run this way for the long run. It will cause you to lose power.

Its just an idea. Hope this helps.

That did occure to me at one point. I did check and it is at .020 but I didn't want run the risk of causing more damage since these K Series are new to me so I didn't try reducing the gap then I forgot about it as an option. I will be giving it a try. Thanks

[R Bedell]

Some of the known issues for a slow crank are:

* Bad battery cables and/or connections
* Inadequate grounding
* Low capacity battery
* Sluggish or bad starter
* Bad or improperly adjusted ACR
* Incorrect motor oil
* Incorrect Hydro Fluid or needs changing

[Flatbedford]

Does anybody have a link to where I can read more about ACR? I having some slow cranking issues with my 149. I wonder if this might be my problem. I have changed to winter oil and upgraded to a higher CCA battery and it still seems kinda weak.

[fleetlines]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

Some of the known issues for a slow crank are:

* Bad battery cables and/or connections
* Inadequate grounding
* Low capacity battery
* Sluggish or bad starter
* Bad or improperly adjusted ACR
* Incorrect motor oil
* Incorrect Hydro Fluid or needs changing

That's what I needed, a list of possible causes. I didn't change the Hy-Tran or filter yet but I do have them here. I could see the exhaust valve lift for the ACR but I just have flat feeler gauges in that range so I can't really check it right. I've just about convinced myself it's the starter even though that would mean both of them I have here are no good. I was wanting to hold off on changing the Hy-Tran out till it runs right again as I've never done it before. The starter is what I see as most likely cause for intermittent slow cranking. At least I now know it's likely one of these three being the root to my whoas. Thanks R Bedell.
Curtis

[fleetlines]

Originally Posted by Flatbedford

Does anybody have a link to where I can read more about ACR? I having some slow cranking issues with my 149. I wonder if this might be my problem. I have changed to winter oil and upgraded to a higher CCA battery and it still seems kinda weak.

Sorry Steve. All I know is what's in the manuals and what I learned here.
Curtis

[R Bedell]

Here is the link you requested..... Service Manual.

Look at Section 9

[Flatbedford]

I downloaded the service manual, but the pictures suck! Thanks for the better diagram.