Tips For Easier Starting...

This is on a pulling tractor...
I have a fresh 572 Chevy, 871 High Helix. The engine likes to run at 36 degrees total advance. But... it starts very hard at this much advance. It has a Mallory Mag Ignition. Is there any way to retard this for starting? I do roll the engine over and flip the Mag switch, this helps but doesn't solve the problem. It has a CSI Mini-Starter, really the only thing that is feasable for a battery I have a 950 CCA truck battery. Are there any batteries with more zip? What about 2 - 6 volts in series?
If anyone has any suggestions, please drop me a line.
Thanks,
Glenn

 

I'd hook it up to 24 volts.

 

Mallory makes a start assist box for Magnetos. Mallory part #660. Works on 12 volt systems.
From personal experance I can tell you it works wonders.
Why so much advance ? Take some fuel out (leaner burns faster) drop the advance down to at least 32 but 28 would be better and the bearings will live longer and it will make more torque too. And easier to crank up.
The faster it burns the less advance needed. The less advance the less power the engine USES UP compressing the expanding gases on the compression stroke. Move those pressure peaks to the downward stroke.
By the way I just happen to have a slightly used Mallory #660 for sale.

 

Put a 16volt turbostart battery in to spin the motor faster.It probably doesn't have enough rpm to start easy.

 

Starting

Are You Starting On Gas Or Alky Prime.

 

starting tips

I prime with gas.

 

we run a blown altered, and had starter problems as well. here's what we did to fix it..... we have to be self starting, so we put a small chevy starter on it( tilton,tci,etc) you just need a good gear reduction starter. we have a 500" hemi with a 14-71 hi-helix at 12.2 to 1 compression with 32 degrees timing(msd pro mag). we tried a turbo start battery(16 volts)....forget it! you are dreaming! you need 24 volts....period! we put 2 12 volt batteries in, and have never looked back. i put a small holley blue pump on for a primer pump(no more squirt bottles). i just prime it, spin the motor, and flip the switch and it's running. my advice.....go with 24 volts just my 2 cents

 

24v question

I am using a csi reduction starter,but my local starter repair shop says 24 volts will cook it .
?????

 

the only way that it will cook it is if you continue to crank the motor over and over. i think i spin the motor for maybe 3-4 seconds before i hit the switch. we have never had a starter burn up in over 5 years, just don't continously crank the motor and you will be fine.

 

We use a CSI/CSR starter in our car with 24 volts. Haven't had any problems with it for 3 seasons!!! Our car would never start with 12 volts. Go with 24.

 

another question

Do you run 24 v to the solenoid on the starter?

 

yes.......24 to the solenoid

 

when you say 24v, do you mean two 12v batteries wired so that one is a "jumper" battery, or wired up pos.-neg., etc. to make 24v. I'm assuming you mean actual 24v. I had to put a second battery on my top dragster, but never thought of doing it 24v. I would've assumed it would burn up the starter?

bryan brown

 

24 volts will only burn the starter up if you continously crank, and crank the motor. do it the pos/neg way, this will give you 1 post that will be 24 volts, and 1 that is 12 for your other elictrical stuff. we have our battery disconnect switch wired through the ground side of the batteries, works great. you will have no problems unless you continously crank the motor. i have tried it all when it comes to the battery deal, and this has worked the best for us.