Hello every one, new to this site. I just started to do some mechanical work it has been a long time sence i turn any wrenches. here is the problem i got. I got 1993 f150 with an inline 6 will start with no problem even after 6 moth. will drive it for 20 minutes turn it off and it bearly turns over. next day it pops right up. Any ideas pleace

 

Do you mean that it cranks slow with the starter? Or is sluggish starting?

 

it cranck slow like the battery its going dead. but after it has been park it will start ok.

 

Might want to have the starter tested. Sounds like it is getting hot and causing it to drag.

 

Remove, clean, & tighten both battery terminals. If either has any damage or corrosion, read these captions:



If that doesn't help, get a digital multimeter (DMM, $10-50) and test voltage from the alternator case to the front post of the starter relay during the slow cranking. Follow the links in this caption:



Many parts stores will test the battery, starter, & alternator free in the parking lot, so call around.

 

Having owned several of these trucks....if it were mine, I would just put on a rebuilt starter....with age, they drag when hot....

 

Hey guys thanks for the feed back. Ill take the starter out and have it tested. Ill let you know wats up. Thanks Johnny T.

 

Hey guy's thanks for the help. Had the starter check and it was a no go. Put a reabuilt one and it work great. Now for the next progect.

 

Good deal glad ya got it.

 

digging up this old thread because i'm having the same issue and don't want to make an extra thread.
it cranks fine when cold, but after a ride its like the battery dies, when i put an extra battery/jumper on it it cranks back normal.

changed following parts but yet didn't solve it:
battery
starter solenoid
starter (with normal and with hi torque both didn't help)
cables running from battery to starter solenoid (with welded battery clamps)
cables running to the ground.
head gasket due to maybe getting vapor lock.

as you can guess nothing helped.

i have one more guess but don't know how to do this nor have a strobo (never had ignition problems before):
ignition too early/ pre-ignition too early.

 

Have you done an exhaust change where the pipe is closer to the starter? Is the starter hot to the touch after the truck is warmed up? Either one of those could cause the starter to drag. But that is just a guess.

 

i haven't but i think the prev owner had. don't know what the stock exhaust look like.

 

johny, have you checked the timing? Don't forget to unhook the spout connector. Which engine do you have? I assume the year is 1988, as per your header.

I just reread your post and you said you changed the head gasket, not gaskets, so I assume you have the 6 cylinder 300 cu. in.?

 

indeed the six cilinder, 300 CID.
quetion is how do i check the timing and do i need a timing light?

 

Yes, you will need a timing light. Timing should be set at 10 degrees before top dead center. There is a notch in the harmonic balancer to be used as a timing mark. There is also a tab on the front of the engine, just to your right(driver side) of straight up, this has the timing numbers on it. My Haynes manual shows 10 degrees before top dead center as the second point from the left sticking out. Hook your timing light up to the front spark plug wire(number one). VERY IMPORTANT: REMOVE THE SPOUT CONNECTOR TO SET THE TIMING. The spout connector should be hanging just below the distributor on a 6 cylinder. The back of it is roughly 3/8 inch by 5/8 inch. It removes completely, so put it somewhere you don't lose it so you can replace it when done with the timing.

OR better yet get a Haynes repair manual that covers your model vehicle. The manual would make things clearer than I can.