Starting question/problem?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 13
From: Urbanna Va.
Starting question/problem?
I have a 327/300 64 vert that I have had for 30 years.. In the last several years it has had an occaisional starting problem (slow turning over).
What happens is that some timse when I stop for gas or other quick stops when I go to restart the engine it turns over very slow like the starter/battery is too weak. (or way too advanced??) If I continue, it starts but doesn't leave you with alot of confidence for the next time...
I know the battery/ and starter are in good shape, because when I haven't started the car in a few weeks I usually have to crank it a while and it does that just fine...(with plenty of pep)...
I have basically have a stock motor with a mallery pickup (vice points) and an MSD box (6a I think)...
Any ideas??
Bill
What happens is that some timse when I stop for gas or other quick stops when I go to restart the engine it turns over very slow like the starter/battery is too weak. (or way too advanced??) If I continue, it starts but doesn't leave you with alot of confidence for the next time...
I know the battery/ and starter are in good shape, because when I haven't started the car in a few weeks I usually have to crank it a while and it does that just fine...(with plenty of pep)...
I have basically have a stock motor with a mallery pickup (vice points) and an MSD box (6a I think)...
Any ideas??
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA
I have the same exact problem with my 65. I have a new Optima and new cables that I will be installing this week along with cleaning all of the connections so will update as to whether that solved the problem. It is kind of disturbing when you stop and know that the engine is going to crank slow ( haven't got stuck yet but very uncomfortable feeling)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,876
Likes: 9
From: Toronto Ontario
Bill, hot starting problems can also be caused by cooling problems that allow your engine to run too hot (the pistons swell up and may scuff the cylinder walls),
OR (And Most Likely)
excessive resistance in the starter motor that causes the engine to crank slowly. A starter "amp draw" test can be used to check the condition of your starter.
I had this slow-turnover-when-hot problem when I was running my original 327 engine. I discovered that I was missing a small heat shield that protected the starter from heat radiating from nearby exhaust pipes and manifolds. If your shield is missing, the starter may get too hot and bind up. When I was running the 327, I also ran a lightweight solenoid spring, going from memory, I believe it was ACDelco Part # 1958679.
- Pat
OR (And Most Likely)
excessive resistance in the starter motor that causes the engine to crank slowly. A starter "amp draw" test can be used to check the condition of your starter.
I had this slow-turnover-when-hot problem when I was running my original 327 engine. I discovered that I was missing a small heat shield that protected the starter from heat radiating from nearby exhaust pipes and manifolds. If your shield is missing, the starter may get too hot and bind up. When I was running the 327, I also ran a lightweight solenoid spring, going from memory, I believe it was ACDelco Part # 1958679.
- Pat
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Have the starter fields and armature checked for shorts/opens. Clean up the commutator and put in new brushes, bushings and lube. put the starter back on and you should be okay.
It will suprise you what just a good clean up and lube will do for a starter motor. No parts required in many cases.
It will suprise you what just a good clean up and lube will do for a starter motor. No parts required in many cases.
Last edited by MikeM; May 4, 2008 at 02:14 AM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: The Republic of Texas
I had this slow-turnover-when-hot problem when I was running my original 327 engine. I discovered that I was missing a small heat shield that protected the starter from heat radiating from nearby exhaust pipes and manifolds. If your shield is missing, the starter may get too hot and bind up.
- Pat
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 13
From: Urbanna Va.
Thanks
Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas... I was thinking it had to do with too much advance initial/or vacume advance, but it sounds like it is more of a starter/heat sink problem... I do have a fairly new raditor and heater core and pump/fluid.. I'll check connections, then focus in on the starter with a going over or a replacement...
5thvet, if you solve the problem, please be sure to post the results....
Thanks to all.... It just gets a bit embarassing some times when a beautiful car with folks watching cranks up like a real piece of .......
Bill
5thvet, if you solve the problem, please be sure to post the results....
Thanks to all.... It just gets a bit embarassing some times when a beautiful car with folks watching cranks up like a real piece of .......
Bill
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Lots of replies TODAY about heat causing the starters to drag when the engine is hot. Well, YESTERDAY when the starter motors were NEW and CLEAN, they didn't drag when the engine got hot. They'd spin just about as fast hot as they would cold.
I don't doubt the starter motor internal resistance increases with heat but that is not usually the root cause of the slow cranking problem.
So much for wrapping the exhaust, heat shields and all this other stuff that treats the symptom rather than the cause.
I don't doubt the starter motor internal resistance increases with heat but that is not usually the root cause of the slow cranking problem.
So much for wrapping the exhaust, heat shields and all this other stuff that treats the symptom rather than the cause.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Hoover AL
My 62 did the same. Today I removed the starter. Cleaned it. Oiled the bearings and used 2000 grit paper on the brushes. Built my own temporary heat shield of tin. My battery had two post terminals on each post one regular and one wing nut. I cleaned both ends of the cables and added a 4 guage (extra) cable from + post wing nut to starter. Drove it about 45 min. Restarted several times then parked it for 15 min. she started right up... My fingers are crossed. THANKS TO ALL!!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA
My 62 did the same. Today I removed the starter. Cleaned it. Oiled the bearings and used 2000 grit paper on the brushes. Built my own temporary heat shield of tin. My battery had two post terminals on each post one regular and one wing nut. I cleaned both ends of the cables and added a 4 guage (extra) cable from + post wing nut to starter. Drove it about 45 min. Restarted several times then parked it for 15 min. she started right up... My fingers are crossed. THANKS TO ALL!!!!!