When engine hot, it won't start...
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
When engine hot, it won't start...
My car will start up fine when it is cold or slightly warm, yet when it is hot(over about 120) it will not start again. All it does is turn over about two or three times. I've took all the pro-cautions that I can. I've got aluminum heat wrap over the starter and on all of the ignition wires. What else can I do? It is driving me bonkers!!! Also the starter is new. My last two I actully broke the casting on the starters. Help!!!! :cuss
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... ('74BigBlock)
You might want to install a new mini starter, they are sold on Ebay and have more clearance from heat and seem to work well, I just purchased one recently because I needed more clearance from the headers.....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... (73jst4fun)
I would suggest a gear reductive starter and a good heat shield. I'm sure there will be better suggestions, but this is what has worked for friends of mine in the past.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... ('74BigBlock)
Are you running headers with it? if so you may want to either have them coated or wrapped to keep the heat down. I've never had a problem with my starter with the Jet Hot coated headers, a mini starter as suggested would also help and reduce weight at the same time.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... (73 LS-4)
Yes, I do have some Hooker Super Comps on it. Yet it doesn't seem to get much hotter than when I had the Orignal Manifolds on. Yet I do like the starter above alot. Not a bad price either. About 170 bones from GM parts direct. With the amout of cash I've spent on starters I could have got it along time ago!! :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... (SWEET74)
I have a Optima with 720 CCA so I know it is enough. I guess I've just always thought that a OEM starter would do the job of starting. Yet I suppose with a 10.5 to 1 bored out BB it might come up a little short. :cuss :cuss :cuss I'm just going to go kick my on rear. :mad
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 2
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... ('74BigBlock)
Something is not right with your starting system. I have Hooker Super Comps on a hot small block and I can start my car at over 200 degrees the first time with very little cranking.
Before you buy an aftermarket starter have another look through your system. For instance, I had a buick Grand National that wouldn't start when it got the slightest bit of heat. After replacing the starter and solenoid with no improvement I started checking the wiring. Someone had replaced the wire from the starter switch to the coil with a smaller gauge wire for a starter kill switch. That wasn't the worst part...they had just twisted the wires together and taped over it! The solenoid wasn't getting enough juice when any amount of heat entered the system. I ripped out the extra wire and soldered the new connections, never had another problem.
My point is that there are a lot of people on this forum with wild big blocks and stock-style starters that work. If I were you I'd check grounds, battery cables, etc before replacing the starter.
Jeff
Before you buy an aftermarket starter have another look through your system. For instance, I had a buick Grand National that wouldn't start when it got the slightest bit of heat. After replacing the starter and solenoid with no improvement I started checking the wiring. Someone had replaced the wire from the starter switch to the coil with a smaller gauge wire for a starter kill switch. That wasn't the worst part...they had just twisted the wires together and taped over it! The solenoid wasn't getting enough juice when any amount of heat entered the system. I ripped out the extra wire and soldered the new connections, never had another problem.
My point is that there are a lot of people on this forum with wild big blocks and stock-style starters that work. If I were you I'd check grounds, battery cables, etc before replacing the starter.
Jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... ('74BigBlock)
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned vapor lock yet. It's caused by having your fuel line too close to something hot. If the fuel line gets too hot then a vapor bubble is formed and blocks fuel to the carb. Have a look at the routing of your fuel line and see that its not too close to your headers or heads, etc. You can buy a fuel line wrap at Jeggs or Summit. This would be worth a look before messing with your starter again. Let us know what you find out. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... (no_radio)
Also check the timing & make sure the balancer ring hasn't slipped. If the timing is to far advanced it makes the engine difficult to crank. Bring #1 up to TDC and check out where the timing mark is located. Had a similar problem with a SBC and the fix was to simply set the timing correctly after replacing the balancer.
Jim
Jim
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
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From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... (Fevre)
I know what youre talking about.
When hot the engine will crank but not like normal. Kinda just turns over right? Like its not going to fire or its kinda "Boggy" Am I close?
Anyway, I had the same issue. Sure I changed starters, Knee jerk reaction. It didnt help.
As no_radio suggested, check your grounds/wiring.
Then make sure your fuel isnt boiling in the line. Vapor Lok.
When hot the engine will crank but not like normal. Kinda just turns over right? Like its not going to fire or its kinda "Boggy" Am I close?
Anyway, I had the same issue. Sure I changed starters, Knee jerk reaction. It didnt help.
As no_radio suggested, check your grounds/wiring.
Then make sure your fuel isnt boiling in the line. Vapor Lok.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... ('74BigBlock)
Sorry but vapor lock will not cause the starter to only crank over a few times, it will cause the eng to not start but it won't cause the symptons desc in the org post.
My car will start up fine when it is cold or slightly warm, yet when it is hot(over about 120) it will not start again. All it does is turn over about two or three times. I've took all the pro-cautions that I can. I've got aluminum heat wrap over the starter and on all of the ignition wires. What else can I do? It is driving me bonkers!!! Also the starter is new. My last two I actully broke the casting on the starters. Help!!!! :cuss
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: ST AUGUSTINE FL
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... ('74BigBlock)
Before you do the starter thing, take 70BBvert's advice. My 78 had the same problem. Fixed it with a timing adjustment! Back the timing off a couple of degrees and give it try. If that seems to work but your timing seems too low then check for a slipped balancer.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... (no_radio)
Just make sure that you have enough cold cranking amps in the battery. This one area where "more is always better" with any engine and quit often overlooked as being OK because it starts when cold. None of my engines have fancy starters and heat wraps everywhere to prevent so called heat "soak" starters and most are header equiped and at least 11-1 compression. Once running everything gets hot and should run perfectly. But you do need sufficient cranking power to turn it over. A engine in "proper tune" will not experience hot cranking problems with a strong enough battery. :D
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... (Fevre)
My last two I actully broke the casting on the starters. Help!!!! :cuss
Elaborate on that. :confused:
Elaborate on that. :confused:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: When engine hot, it won't start... (Ironcross)
My last two I actully broke the casting on the starters. Help!!!! :cuss
Elaborate on that. :confused:
If the timing is off, some engines will actually kick back and bust the nose off the starter.
Elaborate on that. :confused:
If the timing is off, some engines will actually kick back and bust the nose off the starter.
BTW I had starter problems and since I bought a summit's brand name starter ($146) I have not had one problem in the 4 years I have had it on my eng.