Topic: Hard Starting Solution

[Goeytex]

Hard starting solution ?

I was reading in the pulling section, and it seems one method
of easing starting on high compression engines with a lot of
advance ... is to crank the starter for a while and then
turn the ignition on.  This gives the starter time to get
the flywheel up to speed and to develop inertia before the
ignition fires.  This is done manually with a switch.

This process can be done automatically with a relatively simple
circuit.  The circuit diagram is attached.  Feel free to build
it and use it.

How it works:

When the starter switch is energized a short pulse is sent to
the 555 timer chip.  The timer chip turns on the relay via Q2
and disables the ignition for a short period (250ms) based upon
the values of R4 and C2, giving  the starter time to get up
to speed.  After the 250 ms delay, the 555 timer times out,
and the the ignition enabled, and the engine starts. The delay
is adjustable via R4.  

[mow rider]

all that circuit mumbo jumbo is spanish to me but I know for a fast that the idea works very well i know a few people do just that with their race cars including nascar.  They use 2 toggle switches one is momentary for the starter and the other is a on/off switch for the ignition.

[Gui961]

I always start the engine with ignition at off and let go, this is the only way to keep the plastic starter gear on a well build vanguard

i have a push kill switch in the steering close to the starter switch

[slideways]

I run a separate switch on our dash that is hotwired right to the starter circuit so i can turn the motor over. The second switch turns on my ignition, fuel pump, and oil pressure gauge backlight. The reason i do it is so that the oil pump can prime up before the motor fires to prevent a dry start.

[jerb]

Cool ideal

[V-Mod]

I dont believe our hard starting issues are due to timing I believe its due to compression. I know the lack of spark should help some but we dont advance our engines enough to interfer with start up.

[Huffy044]

Jason, that been my problem also, I tried the ignition cut out and no help. George found a pop out compression release like  some of the V twin Harleys use. I gave the class up before I got it installed.

[Goeytex]

I dont believe our hard starting issues are due to timing I believe its due to compression. I know the lack of spark should help some but we dont advance our engines enough to interfer with start up.

I certainly know that when my small block chevy was advanced too far, it would barely turn over sometimes, and I don't
imagine that a mower engine is immune to this condition.

But that's fairly simple to determine for any particular mower engine.    Simply retard the timing 15 - 20 degrees and see if starting
gets better,  if kickback is eliminated.  If it gets better,  then a start retard will help.  If there is no change then the
problem lies elsewhere, ie compression, low starter torque, etc and other solutions will be needed. 

I am a firm believer in real world testing to determine the actual cause and then addressing that cause with
a workable solution.   

[V-Mod]

Ive broken a starter in my Circle track car on a kick back. Besides the Denso the starters we run are weak.