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I can get into my 81 Vette, pump the gas twice and twist the key and the engine will fire right up. I can drive around until the engine gets up to normal operating temperature with no problems at all but if I shut the engine off after letting it run a few minutes it will be harder to start back up. If I run it long enough to get hot, more then about 30-45 minutes at highway speeds or so, I'll have to let it sit until the engine cools down before it will start again.
I've been thinking its heat soaking the starter but I'm not really sure and don't know enough to really know where to start looking. Anyone have any tips that might help me figure it out?
Explain "hard to start"
Is it turning over and not firing or is the starter laboring?
The starter clicks exactly like it does if the battery gets to low and it doesn't have enough juice to turn the engine over. After a short run it will click like that for about ten seconds then the engine will turn over and fire up. After a longer run I'll have to wait for the engine to cool down before it will fire back up again.
Tough question
Sounds like the starter or the selonid is either overheating or dying.
Try this
Take it out for a good long ride, bring it back home and "hopefully" the symptoms will be present.
Then try Jumping it off another vehicle..
If it still doesnt start I would pretty much say the starter is on its way out.
If you replace it, spend the money on a quality starter.
Autozone will sell and warantee $40 starters all day long but they wont help you install them