Slow start with new Alt.

[5.02GO]

K guys, here is the deal...........


Last weekend i had the heads milled and the lower intake. While i was putting this thing back together i installed a PA Performance 130 alternator. It was wired up according to the instructions given with alternator. Yes, i installed the 4 awg wire.

On cold start up, the crank turns fine and the motor starts fairly quick. Now, after the car has been ran for like 10 minutes or so it gets tired.

When i try to start the car (when its hot) the crank doesnt turn over as fast. And the motor doesnt start as quick. The car sounds like the battery is low or dying. I have 14.3 volts across the battery at idle. When the car is at idle with the AC headlights on bright it drops to around 13.3 or so. I feel like the alternator is doing its job. However, i dont feel like the battery is bad either. It have a battery test kit in which you can test each cell. All checked good.

All ground straps are on and bolted down----

One thing on the alternator wiring that i did different, was the black 10awg wires on the stock connector. I did not use them. I left them intact on the connector. I did not see any point in cutting them and attaching them to the alternator. Thats what the 4awg wire is for.

Starter heat soak--Nothing has changed there. Reused my shorty headers and stock H pipe. By the way, i am still using the stock distributor.

Could the starter relay be going bad?

Any ideas?

Jrichker, Hissin'.........chime on in brothas!!

or anyone else.......your suggestions are welcome!

thank you.

 

[HISSIN50]

Your mental run-down is similar to what I would have considered.

Quick tests: when it's warm and is going to crank slowly, try putting a jumper battery or charger with quick-start capabilities on your battery. If that doesnt help, try running a jumper cable in parallel with the existing cables and see if it helps.

I gotta say that my first move would be to scoochy all the primary battery, solenoid and ground connections around. Something is very likely resistant or deficient (heat and resistance tend to go up together). The solenoid connections are all nice, clean and tight?

The lack of the additional motor ground (the 4 awg cable JRichker recommends adding) should not be impeding or causing any issue in and of itself - it just helps you maximize the gains from the 3G, and is a pinch hitter if another ground takes a dump. I'd definately add it, but not look at the lack of it as being the direct cause of the issue if all else is in good order (it's not mandatory).

My random thoughts. Good luck and nice work on getting it all back together.