Topic: Starting problems

[GoberRacing71t]

I have finally completed the build on my mower but have ran in to a problem that has me stumped. When I try to start it if it doesn't fire up after several revolutions with the starter then starter gets hot and I have to wait 30 to 45 minutes for it to cool off to try again.

Briggs 28 flathead
Isky cam
EC dual springs
ARC flywheel
Timing set at 27*
365 CCA battery
808726 starter
2 gage welding cables

The engine has run and sounded great but had this problem starting with the factory starter so I upgraded the starter and cables. It spins really fast with the plug out but is not very fast with the plug in and trying to start it. I am scared that I will burn the new starter up if I keep trying to start it and getting the starter hot.

Does anyone have any ideas that may help me out?

[The Tank]

Remove flywheel and check flywheel key. Sounds like it has sheared which is common on a new tight engine.

[Rooster]

Hard to crank equals one of two things usually.
Clearance is too tight or timing is too high.

Like frank said, first check the key, if that's not it then..

what is your timing set at?

Pull the plug and turn it over by hand...does it turn free, or is something binding?

[GoberRacing71t]

The engine turns fine by hand with the plug out with nothing binding or dragging. Since I just got it built the timing is still at stock setting. I will stop by the shop and pickup a new key and give that a try now that you mention it. Maybe I am just over looking the simple things.

[Huffy044]

you mentioned new cables? possible bad connection on one of them, use a pair of jumper cables to check, sounds like high restience to me.

[Rooster]

With those cables and that battery...at stock timing that thing should be whirling !

I check my timing with a light, for my money it is too important to leave to chance.

[Burton for Certain]

If ya don't have a timing light, pull the plug and hook the plug back to the coil wire and hold onto it while you check...or you could just look at  the spark I guess.

[GoberRacing71t]

Thanks guys! I will go down the list as soon as I get home from work and see what I can find.

[Jim Knutson]

I preffer to look for spark, rather than feel for it.....lol.

[Matt 105 SP]

I preffer to look for spark, rather than feel for it.....lol.

I like to wach people feel for it. that is the funnest thing to do to a green horn.

[GoberRacing71t]

Thanks to everyone for all of the ideas. I checked the air gap, spark plug, flywheel key and all of the battery connections etc. and everything looked fine. I then tried to spin the engine by hand with the plug out. Note that that had been done before...Guess what I found? Somehow the belt had slipped off the pulley on the clutch and was causing a major drag on the engine pulley. Yep, wasted a fair amount of time finding a simple problem but what can I say..everything looked fine under there after I mounted the engine.

After all of that I finally had enough daylight left to take it for a spin around that yard and give everything a shakedown. So far everything is looking great! Thanks again guys.

[GRUBDIGGER]

NOW THAT YOR STARTER SMOKED A FEW TIMES YOU SHOULD REPLACE IT. SO YOU DONT HAVE A PROBLEM LATER.

[rotten ron]

Starters have lots of smoke in them

[Bolens16]

Starters have lots of smoke in them

And like anything electrical or electronic it is important not to let the smoke out.