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Starter overheating problems

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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 07:33 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by 4-vettes
I just don't want my C3 Corvette to sound like my neighbours Toyota when cranking. That really bugs me.
I really miss my Toyota Tacoma.

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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 09:00 AM
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I had the same issue with my high compression 427 and it's starter would get heat soaked and turned very slowly. I switched over to a small Hitachi Gear drive starter and it works great. I don't have any protective blanket over the starter, just my long tube headers.

The very best way to start an engine like this is to use a Ignition Box that offers the feature where startup timing that can be pulled back up to 20* only while cranking and then the timing returns after it starts up. I was amazed at the HUGE difference it makes on a Hot big block as after pulling the timing my car cranks like a Mopar slant six engine. It spins much faster with the timing pulled back and allows the engine to start easier. The new MSD Ignition boxes can do the timing retard while cranking, I have a MSD Digital Retard Box which performs the function for my C3 and the starting has never been easier and I have zero issues with Hot starts.

Yuck.....that is a toyota and that is Japanese *#@*. I won't own any car from Asia. I like pictures of nice Corvettes, not Asian cars.....
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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 09:15 AM
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Insulating blankets are not as effective , they actually hold the heat in too. You need something to reflect the radiant heat like an aluminum shield with an air gap. But you have something else going on also, if it takes six hours to re-start.
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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by ctmccloskey

Yuck.....that is a toyota and that is Japanese *#@*. I won't own any car from Asia. I like pictures of nice Corvettes, not Asian cars.....
FYI, that truck was assembled in San Antonio, Texas with 55% of the components American source. Which is more of that I can say for my wife's baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet Cruze. I'm happy you have found success with your Japanese Hitachi Gear drive starter. Peace out.
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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 12:10 PM
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My starter is the original, (54 years old), headers for 52 years. High compression engine, never had a starter issue.
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Old Sep 8, 2024 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 1Hotrodz
Insulating blankets are not as effective , they actually hold the heat in too. You need something to reflect the radiant heat like an aluminum shield with an air gap. But you have something else going on also, if it takes six hours to re-start.
I disagree. Any of those blankets for starters or wraps for fuel lines or tubes for wiring have been proven effective in blocking / reflecting heat.
Just like dynamat under the carpet, it reflects.

The only way a starter wrap would hold heat is when a starter has been cranking & cranking for several minutes. That would be heat inside the blanket rather than outside the blanket.
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Old Sep 10, 2024 | 08:29 PM
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Aha! it's gotta be a bad solenoid starting to go out. Sounds exactly like what the symptoms are anyway ... I'll switch it out to confirm!
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by HeadsU.P.
I disagree. Any of those blankets for starters or wraps for fuel lines or tubes for wiring have been proven effective in blocking / reflecting heat.
Just like dynamat under the carpet, it reflects.

The only way a starter wrap would hold heat is when a starter has been cranking & cranking for several minutes. That would be heat inside the blanket rather than outside the blanket.
Blankets do not reflect heat they slow down the heat transfer rate.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by 1Hotrodz
Blankets do not reflect heat they slow down the heat transfer rate.
So, trapping heat if the starter is already overheated?

Mini-starter + correct timing. Perhaps the OP will come back with an update, and the same conclusion.
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Old Sep 13, 2024 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
So, trapping heat if the starter is already overheated?

Mini-starter + correct timing. Perhaps the OP will come back with an update, and the same conclusion.
I did get it out by squeezing it past the headers. I checked the numbers for it and it is originally for a 2000 silverado 1500. And it is a mini starter so overheating was not the problem I believe. I'll have it tested tomorrow

Last edited by CiCiC3; Sep 13, 2024 at 11:14 PM.
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Old Sep 16, 2024 | 09:34 AM
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[QUOTE=Bikespace;1608167026]So, trapping heat if the starter is already overheated?
YES
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Old Sep 24, 2024 | 05:10 PM
  #32  
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So after testing the starter and solenoid and battery it all checks good! I put it all back together and now it has no electrical responses at all. Not even a click sound from the starter. Fuses on the floor board all look good. Haven't checked whether the headlights turn on but most likely not. I will start with looking for a voltage drop some where. hmm
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Old Sep 25, 2024 | 11:23 AM
  #33  
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re-check ground under car from battery and the connections.. look for corrosion up insulation
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Old Sep 26, 2024 | 12:34 PM
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Auto electrician says it's probably the battery to starter fusable link that has gone out. First you need to find out why it went out. And be careful you could burn your whole car up and your house if in the garage. I remember people telling me their old corvette burned to the ground and to be careful. I thought they were crazy but maybe not after all.?
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Old Oct 2, 2024 | 03:23 PM
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In the end it turned out to be a bad/intermittant starter solenoid. Probably got roasted by the headers since it didn't last nearly long enough.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by CiCiC3
In the end it turned out to be a bad/intermittant starter solenoid. Probably got roasted by the headers since it didn't last nearly long enough.
Standard Ignition Products aka Blue Streak makes a high Temp. Solenoid for these starters. It comes with a Teflon bobbin. It definitely helped my heat soak problems with headers.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 01:35 PM
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[QUOTE=1Hotrodz;1608223771]Standard Ignition Products aka Blue Streak makes a high Temp. Solenoid for these starters. It comes with a Teflon bobbin. It definitely helped my heat soak problems with headers.[/QUOTe

I’ll have to check the price and fit but maybe a heat cover would work well too.
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Old Oct 3, 2024 | 11:58 PM
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[QUOTE=CiCiC3;1608223881][QUOTE=1Hotrodz;1608223771]Standard Ignition Products aka Blue Streak makes a high Temp. Solenoid for these starters. It comes with a Teflon bobbin. It definitely helped my heat soak problems with headers.[/QUOTe

I’ll have to check the price and fit but maybe a heat cover would work well too.[/QUOTE
Yes, get the heat shield. This will reflect the radiant heat from the headers.
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Old Oct 4, 2024 | 08:20 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by CiCiC3
its grounded to the engine and the battery is brand new. I’ll ask my mechanic tomorrow about it when I take it in for some brake work. Thanks
My uncle had this same issue, replaced the starter replaced the battery in the end the issue was the main ground cable from the battery to the car chassis cas badly corroded at one end. The car would start fine when cold but did not have enough current do reliably start the car when hot.

I had a kit car years ago and I fell into the same trap, it was the same issue, bad ground connection.

BTW I have sidepipes and a standard smaller s10 type starter, never an issue
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Old Dec 31, 2024 | 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by 4-vettes
And yet, my original factory starter. As heavy as it is. Has never failed me. My wiring to the starter failed once. Quickly repaired with a starter relay.
I just don't want my C3 Corvette to sound like my neighbours Toyota when cranking. That really bugs me.
I’m back to square one on trying solve this intermittent starting problem. If it is a starter relay problem could that be intermittently functional or are they either good or bad. I thought I had an over heat problem with the starter but while that may be a factor at times, it won’t start when cold now either! It just clicks. But if I try a while later it will start just fine!

It might be a clutch pedal height adjustment problem for starting. It could have slipped down too far?

Last edited by CiCiC3; Dec 31, 2024 at 11:52 AM.
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