510SSS Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 -I'm having some trouble when my motor is trying to turn over on intial startup, I was thinking that a different starter might help, as now i'm using one from O'Reillys and it sounds like it's gonna conk out any second now. I was wondering what do you guys think is the best starter to use? Does any Skyline starter work for the L20? Or should I spring for something more robust like a gear reduction starter? -Secondly, it seems that my alternator is functioning fine, however it is not producing enough AMP's to run my electrical system. What is a good alternator to replace the 60amp Bosch unit that I am currently using, that can be easily adapted to work with the L20b engine? Thanks for the Help. Quote Link to comment
shacks510 Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Gear reduction starter is the better one to have. Turns slower but with greater torque. Good for higher compression motors. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Starter will sound and act poorly if your battery is weak. Try starting using a borrowed battery or using jumper cables. If noticeably better then the battery you have is the cause. The fact that it's a Bosch unit indicates that it is not a stock alternator. Take it in and have it tested. Do you still have the original alternator? 1 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 what? 60amps should be fine for a 510 esp with liights off. Why you say this? if you order a 50amper for a say a 76 610/710 it should fit Bosch is just a outsourced rebuilder. If you think no good swap it out. 15min job. Be honest I get the same results with a stock starter or a gear reduction. Its how and who rebulds them now. So you think your getting better. I CANT TELLLTHE DIFFERERNCE. but if skyline makes it start better then go for it . TS Imported Automotive has 200$ gear reduction units(mostly a British car part but they have Datsun) If this makes you feel better Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Before changing stuff, check your ground. Also check your battery and make sure it's good. Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Check that it's bolted up properly. Heck, if it sounds bad, you may want to check to see if your ring gear is ok or of your flywheel is falling off. If your alternator's not functioning, chances are your batt is under charged. Do as advised and try first with a good battery. 1 Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 to me hard to start soemtimes is a a mistimmed motor /ignition Quote Link to comment
Dolomite Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 I have the maxi gear reduction starter on my l20b, it's a hugely noticeable difference in the middle of winter. Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Yeah, I bet Hainz has this one. Ignition timing off can make cranking the engine very difficult. I've smoked starters this way. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 I had seen this where it was fighting to start and the ignition was off if all things else are ok also a loose intake manifold. when warm was fine. Quote Link to comment
racerx Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 510sss, was it running okay before? Was this recently purchased? Quote Link to comment
Doctor510 Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 I got ambushed one time by a BENT engine pate, had to take MF out at straighten it. It was a PITA! 2 Quote Link to comment
510SSS Posted July 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Thx, for the info all. I talked to my mechanic today and I think you might be right hainz, the distributor is not timing the motor correctly because of the cam lift I found out, I may have to recurve the distributor, and the alternator ended up having a bad diode, so I am having it rebuilt for $20 locally I guess. Awesome tips every1. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Distributor don't need re-curving. (mechanic just wants your money) It needs the timing checked. Possibly vacuum or mechanical advance is stuck advanced or the static timing was set wrong. If you have points maybe they are worn and as they wear the timing is bound to change. Do the easy stuff first. Borrow a timing light and do it yourself for free. 1 Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Most starter and alternator problems are either bad wiring, or caused by poor connections. If your starter motor has a poor connection to the battery, the starter turns slower. This makes the starter draw a lot more current (amps) to do its job. More amps, more heat, more damage to the starter each time it is used. This in turn draws the battery down more. If the alternator has a poor connection to the battery, the battery does not fully charge, nor is the system voltage high enough. Low voltage cause the ignition to be weaker, leading to harder starting, causing even more wear on the starter. If the wiring is poor, putting a bigger alternator, or a gear reduction starter is a waste of money. A bigger alternator requires bigger wires, including the ground or negative side. Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 mike and Daneil pretty much covered it . put it s good to ck the timming anytrime its hard to start. I dont get the cam lift comment your talking about. olddatsuns.com the tech section has my vids and ck that out you dont need a mecahnic. You can become one yourself. this is EZ vedio will show what the cam look like at TDC if this is what your talking about. But then it would be this way since you had the car. Quote Link to comment
Doctor510 Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Thx, for the info all. I talked to my mechanic today and I think you might be right hainz, the distributor is not timing the motor correctly because of the cam lift I found out, I may have to recurve the distributor, and the alternator ended up having a bad diode, so I am having it rebuilt for $20 locally I guess. Awesome tips every1. Blaming cam lift is BS. Test the starter at the starter with a screw drive or a remote "button". Be sure the battery is FULLY charged with a VOM. Does the motor turn easily with a wrench? Quote Link to comment
banzai510(hainz) Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 since diaode was bad in alternator this will help. I also seen broken batter cable ends where the start to crack. you reaf on the nut and the batt lug just splits Quote Link to comment
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