| Maximo |
01-20-2013 07:11 AM |
A problem I commonly see with novices is that when the engine gets stuck at TDC they try to free the engine up by using the starterbox..........They don't realize they are supposed to stop and pry the engine out of TDC using a screwdriver....So they just keep on trying to force the engine over and it results in broken belts and burnt out motors....... I know it sounds very basic but without proper instructions or tutorial a starterbox can be a PITA to figure out if you have never used or seen one being used.....I se this all the time on the monster truck forms..guys having horrendous issues trying to use a starterbox for their first few times...Some guys end up burning out their boxes and giving up before they even get it working.... Then we see threads like this about how to swap in a roto or pull into their current bumpstart machine....... At the end of the day it always comes back to some very basic things that are easily corrected...... There is no doubt that there is a very specific and learned technique to properly using the starterbox....
1. Never try to turn over a stuck engine with the starterbox...if the engine sticks, stop cranking and dislodge the engine using a screwdriver..
2. align the starterbox properly..this is not horseshoes and hand grenades, the alignment needs to be spot on.... which means the starter wheel is in the center of the chassis slot and not rubbing the chassis....I have seen many dozens struggling with a starterbox because they were sloppy in aligning the pegs, If the starter wheel scrubs the chassis plate it can rob you of substantial amounts of cranking power....Take the time to align your starterbox properly.... Which if your new I suggest you do with the engine removed from the car.... What may look like center with the engine in place can look very off center with the engine removed..........Do yourself a favor and take the time to properly align your box, I can't stress this one enough........
3. Use good batteries.... your 8 year old stick packs are probably not going to do the starterbox any justice....I see soo many guys underestimate the power needs of these starterboxes ..Usually using some old half dead batteries that just dont have the juice to the job your asking them to do..........If in a pinch make a set of jumper cables and run off your car battery, it will have far more cranking capacity then a couple of old stick packs......Once again I cant stress this one enough, dont underestimate the amount of juice the starterbox needs....
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