78 l82 engine compartment heat
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
78 l82 engine compartment heat
Recently purchased a 78 pace car. I am having an issue with heat in the engine compartment. After a hour or so of driving it gets so hot the module goes crazy and it start miss firing and stalls. After sitting for a few it's fine. I'm also having issues with the starter getting so hot it won't crank. I plan to restore this car as stock as possible just looking for some tips before I start my projects thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Recently purchased a 78 pace car. I am having an issue with heat in the engine compartment. After a hour or so of driving it gets so hot the module goes crazy and it start miss firing and stalls. After sitting for a few it's fine. I'm also having issues with the starter getting so hot it won't crank. I plan to restore this car as stock as possible just looking for some tips before I start my projects thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
A heat wrapped mini starter is a good investment. If your having vapor lock or fuel boil issues wrap your fuel line and install a carb spacer to block heat soak. Make sure the front rubber air dam is present. Mine was missing when I purchased my 79.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
[QUOTE=Bloodzone;1590520336]A heat wrapped mini starter is a good investment. If your having vapor lock or fuel boil issues wrap your fuel line and install a carb spacer to block heat soak. Make sure the front rubber air dam is present. Mine was missing when I purchased my 79.[/QUOT
Good advice
Good advice
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Recently purchased a 78 pace car. I am having an issue with heat in the engine compartment. After a hour or so of driving it gets so hot the module goes crazy and it start miss firing and stalls. After sitting for a few it's fine. I'm also having issues with the starter getting so hot it won't crank. I plan to restore this car as stock as possible just looking for some tips before I start my projects thanks.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 338
Likes: 9
From: South Bend IN
NCM Sinkhole Donor
What is your timing set at? 4 degrees as indicated in manuals or on sticker under the hood is too retarded and will cause the engine bay to get very hot. I had the choke fixed on mine once and the guy reset the timing to 4 degrees and I couldn't believe the heat. I set it between 12-14 based on Lars recommendations and there was a significant temperature drop. Just a thought before you go buy other parts and heat wraps.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,117
From: Crossville TN
If you have a 'real' GM starter, a 'no hot start' problem is almost always somewhere other than the starter, itself. Could be power or ground wires; could be starter solenoid; could be neutral start switch or ignition switch; could be fusible-links at starter solenoid.
Very unlikely to be the starter itself, unless the internal brushes are 'toast' (and they can be replaced easily and for low $$).
P.S. Your late 70's engine operates at temps just below the boiling point of water. Just how cool do you think the engine compartment on a Corvette should be??
Very unlikely to be the starter itself, unless the internal brushes are 'toast' (and they can be replaced easily and for low $$).
P.S. Your late 70's engine operates at temps just below the boiling point of water. Just how cool do you think the engine compartment on a Corvette should be??
Last edited by 7T1vette; Sep 19, 2015 at 09:38 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
The no-crank because of a "hot starter" is a myth that got started many years ago and is still believed today. High heat will affect the solenoid somewhat but the aluminum ground cable will affect the hot cranking a LOT because of super-high resistance. Trash your OEM aluminum block ground cable and get a decent #4 copper cable with copper eyes. In the summer months an engine compartment temperature of 200 degrees is normal so its nothing to worry about.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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Just because you had a separate issue does not preclude a fact from fiction.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
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From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Been there, done that.