1973 Big Block-Electrical
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9
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1973 Big Block-Electrical
My 73 Big block will not turn over when the engine gets warm. The starter is brand new and is working properly. A jumper wire placed from starter to the battery will cause the engine to roll and start just fine (if the key is turned on). Using the ignition key, the engine will not roll. Allowing the engine to cool for a couple hours will allow the engine to be started using the key. Any ideas on the where the problem might be?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Sounds like some heat soak in the starter. The original starter had a tin heat shield between the exhaust manifolds and starter.
Odd though, that it turns over with a hot wire. With the hot wire does the motor spin freely when hot?
You might test voltage to the starter solenoid.
Lastly, I use the high-torque mini-starters. Being smaller, there's more air cushion between the starter and exhaust manifolds; less chance for heat soak.
Good luck!
Odd though, that it turns over with a hot wire. With the hot wire does the motor spin freely when hot?
You might test voltage to the starter solenoid.
Lastly, I use the high-torque mini-starters. Being smaller, there's more air cushion between the starter and exhaust manifolds; less chance for heat soak.
Good luck!
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 300
Likes: 1
From: Syracuse, NY
Some things to check are neutral safety switch, key switch, starter solenoid and battery. Do you have a wiring diagram to isolate the problem? If not, you can get one here; http://www.nrjvette.com/johdotukset/?c=d;o=d
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
But a solenoid that is border line and is effected by heat soak will sometimes engage with a more direct jumper especially crossing the S terminal with the pos post on the solenoid.
(This borderline solenoid usually will only get worse to the point of the more direct jumper will not work anymore.)
