Slow Crank

I just finished swapping out my 93 1.0 3 speed with a "new" JDM motor. There were identical except the crank pulley on the old motor had 4 bolts and the JDM motor had 5. My problem now is that I can't get it to start consistently. Whenever I crank it over it sounds like the starter is not getting enough juice from the battery. So I took the old battery in and got it tested at Autozone. They said it was not holding a charge(now I'm wondering if they right bc). I got a new baterry hooked it up, same thing. The car has started a handful of times with both the old and new batteries. Once running it sounds good. Timing should'nt be a issue. Whenever I try to start it, though, it cranks real slow like battery is dying. I read on another post by geozukigti to change over the wires so I replaced the following wires: from the battery to the starter, from the battery to fuse box, and the ground wire from the distributor to the firewall. Same slow crank problem. The battery is showing 12.6 not running and 14.3 running, so this should mean the battery is fully charged and the alternator is working. I am getting 12.6 to starter and the spade connector on back of starter is getting voltage when a turn the key over. Its getting gas and spark also, just doesn't sound like its getting enough juice from battery. Any thoughts? Could it be a bad ground somewhere? Thanks for all your help. This forum is great, and I've really learned alot about the metro from this site.

Right off hand, it sounds like a bad ground. Check all the factory grounds and there connections. If they are all connected, and not corroded, then I would throw another one on.

...I replaced the following wires: from the battery to the starter, from the battery to fuse box, and the ground wire from the distributor to the firewall...

But not the ground cable from the battery to the transmission?

...Right off hand, it sounds like a bad ground...

I agree.

-MechanicMatt

Why I didn't replace the ground cable in the first place, I dunno. It didn't look corroded I guess. Well I just went out and bought a new ground cable and put it on after cleaning the transmission where it connects (there was some oil on that spot)and holy smokes she starts. It still cranks over 3 or 4 times before it fires up (never used to) but it will start every time now. I going to go back and double check all the ground connections and hopefully that will make it start right up. Just gotta put the tires and hood back on and it ready to roll. Thanks for help guys, really appreciate the fast responses!

Glad it worked.

You could experiment with adding another ground also.