I replaced the camshaft and lifters in my 89 4.2 and now my starter seems to be struggling to crank

[canon07]

I replaced the camshaft and lifters in my '89 4.2 and now my starter seems to be struggling to crank... I did have to remove the starter to get the oil pan back in, but it's a relatively new starter and it worked just fine when I started tearing into the engine a couple of months ago.

Could I have tightened the starter bolts too much? Or could I have tightened the harmonic balancer or the valves or something else a little too much in the engine rebuild? Or is it possible the starter went bad just sitting for six months?

My first crank after getting it all back together sounded great but after a few seconds it started to slow down like the battery was low, even though it had been on a trickle charger. It sounded like I wasn't getting any fuel though after a couple of cranks and a quick check led me to discover I had some issues with the carb to boot. It's a Quick Fuel 450. It was leaking fuel from a gasket that had gone bad.

So I'm working on getting that back together to try another start but the slow starter is kinda nagging at me.

 

[Chris]

I replaced the camshaft and lifters in my '89 4.2 and now my starter seems to be struggling to crank... I did have to remove the starter to get the oil pan back in, but it's a relatively new starter and it worked just fine when I started tearing into the engine a couple of months ago.

Could I have tightened the starter bolts too much? Or could I have tightened the harmonic balancer or the valves or something else a little too much in the engine rebuild? Or is it possible the starter went bad just sitting for six months?

My first crank after getting it all back together sounded great but after a few seconds it started to slow down like the battery was low, even though it had been on a trickle charger. It sounded like I wasn't getting any fuel though after a couple of cranks and a quick check led me to discover I had some issues with the carb to boot. It's a Quick Fuel 450. It was leaking fuel from a gasket that had gone bad.

So I'm working on getting that back together to try another start but the slow starter is kinda nagging at me.

Given that you've recently replaced the camshaft and lifters and had to remove the starter, it's possible that the starter has been affected by the reassembly, but there are a couple of things to check before jumping to conclusions.

1. **Starter Installation**: Double-check that the starter is properly aligned and that all connections are secure. Even if the bolts are tight, misalignment can cause the starter to bind, leading to a slow crank.

2. **Battery Voltage**: Ensure that the battery is fully charged and capable of delivering enough amperage. Sometimes trickle chargers don’t get the battery back to full capacity, especially if the battery is older. Consider having it tested or swapping it out temporarily with a known good battery.

3. **Wiring and Connections**: Inspect the starter wiring and the connections at the battery and starter solenoid for corrosion or loose connections. Poor connections can lead to voltage drops and cause the starter to struggle.

4. **Harmonic Balancer & Valvetrain Issues**: It’s unlikely that tightening the harmonic balancer or valves too much would cause the starter to struggle directly. However, if there’s excessive friction in the engine due to incorrect assembly or oiling issues, it could lead to harder starting. Make sure everything is lubricated properly and that there are no binding parts in the engine.

5. **Internal Engine Issues**: If you hear unusual noises or there is significant resistance when trying to crank, you may want to double-check your assembly work, including making sure the lifters are properly adjusted.

6. **Fuel System**: Since you're dealing with a carb issue as well, ensure that fuel is reaching the engine properly. An inadequate fuel supply can exacerbate cranking issues, making it seem like the starter is struggling more than it actually is.

It might be worth diagnosing the fuel system fully before making too many assumptions about the starter. Once your carb is sorted out, see how the starter responds. If it still struggles after confirming a good battery and proper connections, you may need to take a closer look at the starter itself or the overall engine condition. Good luck!