No Start

[Josh51]

First time posting here. I have an 86 ranger 2.9L 4x4. The last couple months I had a problem with it starting. If I start it up for the first time in the day or after its been sitting for a while it starts up with no problems. But, if i drive it for a while/a few miles when I turn it off and try to turn it back on it struggles to even turn over. The starter will turn the engine over a few times very very slowly. Sometimes it will turn over just fast enough to fire up sometimes it wont. it definitely has to do with the truck being ran for a while. the longer it has been run the harder it struggles to turn over.
I have put 2 new batteries it in, new starter, new main ground from battery, cleaned all grounds, new starter solenoid, and cleaned battery connections. The alternator hasnt been changed but according to my voltmeter it is charging the battery. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[Uncle Gump]

When it does it again... operating temp and slow crank... disconnect the ignition coil connector... and try to crank again.

Still cranks slow... do a voltage drop test on you battery cables.

Cranks normal... check your ignition timing.

 

[franklin2]

I agree, ignition timing is too advanced. There is a special procedure to set the timing on it, you have to unplug the spout connector and then set it to 10 degrees BTDC.

 

[Josh51]

Thanks. Ill check all that the next chance I get

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Classic advanced timing symptoms.

Also youre not running headers or anything are ya?

Ive had 460s heatsoak the starter so bad with headers they would do that. Granted, a 2.9 isnt a 460 but just an fyi

 

[Josh51]

Nope, no headers. All stock

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Nope, no headers. All stock

Advanced timing probably then

 

[Josh51]

Just to follow up. Today I finally took the time to take it for a drive. Drove about 30 mins, parked it and attempted to start it up. Same thing, cranked real slow 3 or 4 times. I unplugged the coil connector and it still turned over slow. I checked for voltage drop at the battery to terminals and it read .01mv on both. I dont have a timing light so I will go by our mechanic next week and have him adjust the timing.

For my education and curiosity, why would the timing be off all of a sudden, and why is it only affected when the engine has been in use for a while?

 

[franklin2]

For my education and curiosity, why would the timing be off all of a sudden, and why is it only affected when the engine has been in use for a while?

We do not know the history of the truck. You changed all the other starting components. Timing can cause this exact symptom and when it was suggested, we were waiting for a "aha, I just had the distributor replaced a few months ago".

Ask your mechanic about the SPOUT connector. If he doesn't know about it, then take it somewhere else.