My '87 Raider all of a sudden is starting really slow... like the battery is going dead. The battery is almost brand new and I tested the voltage and it appears fine. I did just redo the turn signal tree to add a button for the headlight squirters, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it, especially with the battery seemingly charging ok.

Anyone have any thoughts? I'm just trying to figure out what else might be going south on me. I just rebuilt the motor and have about 400 miles on it so I'm a little concerned. Moisture in the distributor cap? Gremlins? What can I maybe check?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

you might have forgot a ground, or one is lose. One might need replaced all togather. I replace all mine and it made a big difference

edit: on the Moisture in the distributor cap spray some wd-40 in there should take care of it. Check the oring that gose on the dizzy. Your probley got the moisure in the cap from it not sealing, or it's not there at all.

Have you checked your starter?

That is exactly what happened to my V6 when I first bought it. It would start slower and slower every time I started it. Eventually left me dead at a rest stop an hour and half from home when the starter quit the same day I bought the truck.

1) Remove the battery connections and clean the battery clamps and battery posts with a wire brush.

2) Before replacing the battery clamps, remove the ground wire connection at the passenger fender AND the engine block terminal end of the wire and clean those connections well. Re-install the fender and block connections only at this time.

3) Remove and clean the starter connections. Re-install the starter connections.

4) Check to see that the alternator connection is tight (snug - don't over-tighten).

5) Re-install the battery connections.

If you still have a problem, check the battery voltage with the engine off - a fully charged battery (or nearly so) should read 12.6 - 13.6vdc. If the battery is fully charged and cranking is still slow, suspect the starter - so long as the wiring from the battery to the starter is not corroded.

Good luck,
Frank

I don't have the o-ring at all... stupid thing cracked in half when I was doing the rebuild. I'll check that, the grounds, and I suppose the starter too.

Thanks for the advice, guys! I'll report back what I find.