hard to restart
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: kill devil hills nc
hard to restart
I have just finished a frame off on a 71 BB. It is a 454 with domed pistons 11:1 ratio. The engine was broke in before frame off started. Engine sat for about 3 years during frame off, Inside garage. My problem is the car will start right up cold and run very good. After it has warmed up and I shut it off it is hard to restart. It seems like the starter will not turn the engine. Pumping gas pedal seems to help but something is up. Could it be the starter being Hot?? Or maybe the battery not being strong enough. I need some help. Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Lots of potential causes. Check the integrity of grounding cable from the starter, main power supply line to the starter, and the connections at the battery. If the starter is a 'foreign' replacement, it might be underpowered (smaller stator/windings...less copper). Also check that your timing is set correctly. Does it 'try' to fire at all [when warm]?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
The big clue here is that it does start good when cold. The distinction between the different symptoms raises the question of what could cause a poor warm start while allowing a good cold start.
You stated that the starter will not turn over the engine when hot. If it starts good when cold that's when the oil is the thickest so I would tend to rule out a weak battery and poor connections as well as incorrect timing. It should start easier when warm. Also, a bad ground does not make sense if it starts OK when cold.
My bet is that engine and/or exhaust heat is affecting the starter. Maybe you should try a heat shield for the starter to see if that makes any difference.
Terry
You stated that the starter will not turn over the engine when hot. If it starts good when cold that's when the oil is the thickest so I would tend to rule out a weak battery and poor connections as well as incorrect timing. It should start easier when warm. Also, a bad ground does not make sense if it starts OK when cold.
My bet is that engine and/or exhaust heat is affecting the starter. Maybe you should try a heat shield for the starter to see if that makes any difference.
Terry
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
you say pumping gas helps ? the starter turn the same speed ?
Define hard to start..Starter slow truning ?, or it cranks and will not fire ?
454 11:1 two, suggestions.. Gear-Reduction starter, and a carb. Isolation plate,
carb plate dropped the carb temp. almost 100degrees, when I installed mine. 69VETT
Define hard to start..Starter slow truning ?, or it cranks and will not fire ?
454 11:1 two, suggestions.. Gear-Reduction starter, and a carb. Isolation plate,
carb plate dropped the carb temp. almost 100degrees, when I installed mine. 69VETT
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Concord NH
My 350-350 does the same thing.
Starts fine cold but turns over real slow and hard when warmed up.
I even have a shop invoice from '73 stating the same problem... ?
Would a heat shield actually help the issue?
Starts fine cold but turns over real slow and hard when warmed up.
I even have a shop invoice from '73 stating the same problem... ?
Would a heat shield actually help the issue?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Check you ground from the battery to the crossmember right under it. A lot of suggestions about the starters being bad is actually attributed to bad grounds. It will seek it anywhere it can. speedo cable, emergency cable, and shifting cables all contribute to your ground if the battery ground is not sufficient and normally burning the cable in half. And the starter is blamed every time. ie. 'heat soak' That one is really 
think about it, hell they all get hot. in fact nearly every piece on the engine is too hot to touch.
I know the above sounds remote, but most of the time cleaning and correcting the ground is or at least may be the actual culbert...
think about it, hell they all get hot. in fact nearly every piece on the engine is too hot to touch. I know the above sounds remote, but most of the time cleaning and correcting the ground is or at least may be the actual culbert...
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Check you ground from the battery to the crossmember right under it. A lot of suggestions about the starters being bad is actually attributed to bad grounds. It will seek it anywhere it can. speedo cable, emergency cable, and shifting cables all contribute to your ground if the battery ground is not sufficient and normally burning the cable in half. And the starter is blamed every time. ie. 'heat soak' That one is really think about it, hell they all get hot. in fact nearly every piece on the engine is too hot to touch.
I know the above sounds remote, but most of the time cleaning and correcting the ground is or at least may be the actual culbert...
think about it, hell they all get hot. in fact nearly every piece on the engine is too hot to touch. I know the above sounds remote, but most of the time cleaning and correcting the ground is or at least may be the actual culbert...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Install a good heat shield.
This is typical hot start problem. Do a forum search. DC motor (and solenoid windings become hot and electrical resistance increases. Too much good info in the archives.
Good luck,
cardo0
Good luck,
cardo0