Guest BigDogDaddy Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I'd like to find out how many amps the starter draws when cranking on a 1940 320 engine. I'd try to test it on my unit, but my car is in storage, and I haven't been able to get out to it.I'm guessing most 6 volt starters would have a similar amount of amperage draw.Thanks,Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Phil,Watch your amp gage when starting your car. If you don't have an electric fuel pump to "prime" the carb, you'll have several seconds/minutes to observe the gage, while the starter grinds away. Especially if the choke is not set right.Mike in colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigDogDaddy Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 The car is in storage about a half hour from my house. I have not had the time to get out to the car. I was hoping someone could tell me exactly how many amps the starter draws during cranking.Thanks,Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Bigdog,To answer your question properly, contact "Startergenrebuilder" via PM. He is a senior member on the Buick forum, and should have the info you are looking for. He's in Mich.Please report back what you find out, for the benefit of those who do a "search" on this subject later on.Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ply33 Posted March 1, 2012 Share Posted March 1, 2012 Phil,Watch your amp gage when starting your car. If you don't have an electric fuel pump to "prime" the carb, you'll have several seconds/minutes to observe the gage, while the starter grinds away. Especially if the choke is not set right.Mike in coloradoWhat you are seeing on the ammeter while you crank the engine is the current through the ignition system, probably only a couple of amps. Not the current going through the starter.I am unaware of any car that ran its starter current through the dash ammeter. Those gauges were designed for modest current draws. I would expect an early '30s car to have a dash gauge that can handle 20 or so amps. In later years with bigger motors and heavier electrical accessory load maybe maybe they got up to 60 or so amps.In any case that is far less than a starter requires. I would expect 150 to 250 amps for a starter but your factory service manual is the place you should check. If I recall correctly, there should be two tests: A no-load RPM and current test and a stall torque and current test. The stall current will be the high current one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RonJar Posted March 2, 2012 Share Posted March 2, 2012 From a 1938 service manual:Bench TestStall = 600 amps @ 3 voltsRunning = 380 amps @ 4.2 voltsHope this helps ... RonJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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