Starting the CMP

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Joel

All three of my Chey CMPs have 6 volt systems and have 0 gauge cable. Made up of welding cable they are no longer than necessary and have soldered ends not crimped on. Even with 6 volt batteries I have no problems starting the bigger 261 and 235 engines.

As to the start switch just take it apart and clean it. The old switch have better metal, many of the "new" are made with recycled brass with impurities.

Cheers Phil

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi Joel

All three of my Chey CMPs have 6 volt systems and have 0 gauge cable. Made up of welding cable they are no longer than necessary and have soldered ends not crimped on. Even with 6 volt batteries I have no problems starting the bigger 261 and 235 engines.

As to the start switch just take it apart and clean it. The old switch have better metal, many of the "new" are made with recycled brass with impurities.

Cheers Phil

Agreed with taking the switch apart. Most of the time it's arcing/burning on the contacts causing bumps that is the problem. A little sandpaper and off you go. Bren carriers (if original) have close to 15' of 0 gauge cable going from the battery to the dash starter switch to the starter (what, they didn't know about relays?) so clean, soldered connections are critical.

[hrpearce]

The insulation in the starter switch can fail also, had to replace it in mine and it works fine now.

[Joel Culliford]

So we did what you guys said, we looked at the starter switch, it needed to be cleaned and had turned inside the switch so there wasn't a full contact. Then we redid the wiring to the starter with 0 gauge wire.

Now it starts up quick and easily.

Thank you for your help with this.