Hard Cranking 2N

I am the proud owner of a 1943 2N that is supposed to have just three hours on a new rebuild. I have had this tractor for a month, but only have had it running twice. When it runs, it is a strong runner. However, oil pressure is not what I believe it should be-- it is only 20 psi when cold, and 15 when hot. I have not had a chance to troubleshoot this. It has a brand new starter, generator, resistor for the coil, braided ground cable, and wires from the battery to the starter switch, and from the switch to the battery. These are NOT the thick gauge wires. Back to the starting. Symptoms: With a fully charged battery, will spin and start almost immediately. HOWEVER, if I shut down and try to restart (after a couple of minutes of running) , she cranks real slow, and I need to recharge the battery. If I remove the spark plugs, the engine spins fine.
When I replace the plugs, she spins slow.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Arthur

Use the battery ground post when reading at the battery, use the starter housing when reading at the starter. Post your results and you will get advice.

I think that is what a technician would check if he were standing at the tractor trying to diagnose the problem. If you find even a one volt loss on a 6 volt system, that's too much and will cost you performance. (Wouldn't matter if the loss was on the ground side or the hot side, still loss).

duey

To the original poster.. I'd replace the battery cables with correct thick ones.. and then repolarize that genny cutout relay, and do a meter test and see if you are charging.. replace battery IF it turns out to be bad...

Soundguy

have a good one.

Soundguy

We who have grown up with 12V cars and trucks have a different idea about how fast an engine should spin at startup. A 6V system is going to spin slower than you are used to, but will always start if the cables are the right size and the connections are "clean, bright and tight".