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Super M-- hard to start

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Finnbair2020

Member
I have a 1952 Super M that is hard to start. Either a 6v or 8v battery just will be barely turn it over. Sometimes I can get it started-- other times it starts to melt the connectors on the battery cables. Any suggestions?
 
are all battery cable connections clean and tight and are the cables sizes large enough to carry the high amps during starts. sounds like a weak cable or a corroided or loose connections. good luck, d.coleman
 
Have you checked current draw on the starter? Sounds like the starter could be dragging or otherwise needing work.
Second thought is the engine is turning hard--bearings tight or rings/ pistons dry in the sleeves.
Can you turn the engine with the crank? How hard does it turn? If it turns over easily, focus on the starter area.
 
Get all new cables and be sure they are 1ga. When you crank feel the cable ends and that will show quick where a bad connection is as it will be hot sometimes too hot to touch.You mite even need to have the starter refreshed with new brushes and bearings. It will turn over and start good if the system is in shape most often instead of getting system in working order they just get in a hurry and go 12v.
 
Thanks for the responses. I just had the starter rebuilt. It's a new battery and I think the cables are OK-- I'll check the connections again. The engine does seem to turn hard-- pretty difficult to turn by hand with the crank, though I often start my H's that way. How do I deal with tight bearings or pistons dry in the sleeve if that is the problem?
 
Took a 6 volt starter to three different repair shops because thought it was dragging. Last place told me to just put on heaver cables. Starter works great.
 
try replacing the starter switch too, my 48 m was always a slow cranker, even with new hd cables, rebuilt starter and a fresh battery. contacts in the starter switch were arc'd up pretty good, starts a lot better now.
 
if you use the tractor regularly, and there is oil in it and oil pressure,and keep the exhaust covered dont even worry about tight brgs or sleeves. brgs wear with use , which means they get more clearance not get tighter. i would focus on the cables and starter switch. just putting brushes or bushings in the starter does not mean it is good. the armature and fields need checking too. if possible try another starter.
 
I would use a heavy pair of jumper cables to troubleshoot it, get it cranking on the existing system and then hook up jumper cables directly to the starter, and a ground. By hooking them up one at a time you should be able to tell where the problem is. If the existing wiring is ok there should be no sparks when the jumpers are attached. Be careful!
 
What size battery? Does it fill up the battery box? Stock size is a group 3 6 volt. Hard to find and pricey but it takes it to turn over a tight SM engine. 8 volt is a crutch. Don't ask how I know this.

If that fails, convert it to 12 volts neg ground with an alternator and be done with it.
 
Use 00 welding cable for your battery and use soldered lugs. Don't make them any longer than necessary. Make sure all connections are clean and tight. Measure your battery voltage at the starter when cranking to see how much your battery voltage drops. You may not have enough voltage left for your ignition. Try pull starting to see if it starts easier. If it starts easy your battery voltage is getting too low. When pull starting it's not dropping the battery voltage. Hal
 
Don't "check" the cables!

You can't adequately "check" them by simply looking at them.

Take it all apart, polish up everything until it's shiny, and put it back together.

If there are temporary replacement ends on the battery cable, take them apart and clean them up too. Strip fresh cable and clamp it in the ends.
 
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