This all started after I had replaced the crank & bearings due to a knock on acceleration. The replacement crank and bearings clearances were good. Mains were 038 with the range being 034-072. The Rods were 038 with the range 020 to 086. ( I also replaced the head with one with a recent valve job and my compression had gone up. So the engine is much tighter.
When first starting the newly assembled engine I overheated the starter. (I know, my bad
). I double checked all grounds and connections. This gave a slight improvment I replaced the starter with another used one and had the same problem. I figured I was going to have to buy a new starter. Figured I may as well go to a gear reduction starter. Moneys tight, so the parking on a hill had to do for a while.Yesterday I pulled the positive battery cable. The starter end had some slightly melted plastic and the wires looked tarnished. I cut off 1/2 inch and crimped on a new end.
Problem fixed. Whoooo Hooooo
Oh, the replacement crank fixed the knocking. Number 3 rod bearing on the old crank had more wear than the others. I also swapped transmissions so now I have 2nd gear syncros. Sure makes it nice for grabbing 2nd out of a corner.