Starting woes. Please help me!

[Wowcars]

Ok, a few weeks ago, I got my Studebaker running with its new small block in it. Battery on the floor, using the ignition switch, came right to life, now that most everything is together, it won't start without a jumper pack. The battery reads 13+ volts without the charger, so that is ok. I'm only losing about a 1/4 volt through the cables, I don't have any alternator hooked up yet (waiting for brackets!) What am I overlooking? Help! I'm desperate, I want to debut this at a run tomorrow! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[choprods]

RECHARGE the new battery-THEN also make sure motor is grounded to frame well and that body[dash] is grounded to frame.

[sawzall]

RYAN

repeat after me...

rule number one
every electrical problem is a ground problem...

rule number two
sometimes very rarely its something else...

seriously 13 volts should crank the old girl just fine..

I would guess one of your grounds is loose OR the lug on the starter itself is loose.. of course you may have a bad starter, but I doubt it..

double check everything with a wrench.. once I had a ground loosen up just enough to give me problems (engine block to frame no less)

the bolt looked tight.. but when i decided to tighten it.. you guessed it she started right up

good luck sawzall..

[Paul2748]

Also make sure there is good contact on the grounds. Sandpaper the paint off where you have grounds attached.

[Fat Hack]

13 volts...but are ya gettin' enough AMPERAGE to the starter?

Have the battery Load Checked to make sure it's got the punch behind it's muscle! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Checking grounds and making sure all connections are clean and tight is also a no-brainer...

...and lastly...make sure the starter isn't going south...a nearly dead starter will take extra "oomph" to crank the engine...right before it dies!