1961 Ignition Problem

[M W.]

Hi all,
My 1961 2x4 245hp has been completed restored inside the engine compartment area. What I am having a problem with is when the vehicle is running at normal temperature and I turn the ignition switch off, I can not restart the car without hooking up an outside power source( such as a jumper box or jumper cables connected to another car). My battery is a brand new Delco replacement type, all battery cables are new reproduction. The only thing I can think of is possibly my negative ground is not grounded throughly or something is amiss with my old ballast resistor or coil condensor. I would appreciate any help with my vague explanation.
Thanks in advance,
Craig Willetts
NCRS# 36551

[Roy Braatz]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

I would sand and clean the engine support and frame ground area, also under the dash ground black wire area. Connect your battery cables to the battery ground post , then to the starter case, useing your car battery and if the car starts, that well tell you , you have a grounding problem.

[M W.]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

Roy,
Thanks for responding back so quickly. My car starts fine when vehicle is cold, but it's when it's fully warmed up and you shut it off and then try to restart it is where the problem is. If this still applies to your answer thanks again.
Regards,
Craig

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

Craig - Describe exactly what happens when you try a hot restart. Is it like
the battery just won't turn the engine over, or very slowly. Or does it turn over OK, but just not start.

[M W.]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

Dennis,
It's always nice to have your expert advise here. What happens is there is no ignition at all once the car warm. You can let it sit and cool down and she starts fine. When I turn the ignition switch to start(hot) the amp meter goes to a full draw on the gauge. Interesting.
Thanks so much,
Craig Willetts
PS: Thanks for the few times you have helped me over the phone.

[Roy Braatz]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

What I said was to try when it's hot, useing the cables. If it starts when COLD and not when HOT it's a ground problem.As I said run a thick cable to a engine bolt from the battery ground or the starter housing when the engine is hot, and if it starts , it a ground problem.

[M W.]

Thanks so much Roy!! *NM*

[Ed Jennings]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

Sounds to me like a failing starter motor suffering from heat soak. Time for a rewind.

[Roy Braatz]

Re: Thanks so much Roy!!

Was that the problem????????

[M W.]

Re: Thanks so much Roy!!

Roy,
I am going to tinker with it this afternoon and then I will let you know. Thanks again.
Regards,
Craig

[Bernard M.]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

Craig, You mention that the engine compartment was detailed. If by that you mean "painted while apart", you may have painted the area where the ground straps attach. Heat or vibration may separate the connection. Current will attempt to take the path of least resistance to ground, which might include any of the ground wires attached to the engine. These are way too small to carry a starter load & will overheat, but will cause a high current draw indication - for as long as they last.

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

Maybe you've got it figured out by now. If not, my inclination is to agree with Ed Jennings. Assume you have battery ground attached to bellhouse/starter bolt. If you do remove starter, that would be the best time to check grounds. I even get carried away and scrape off most of the engine orange, if present, on the surface the starter mounts to. Good luck.

[Ed Jennings]

Addendum

The reason I propose this unpopular diagnosis is that the ammeter is pegging to discharge. That tells me that there is very high resistance in the starter when hot. I had a 75 in the shop last week with the very same problem. Starter rebuild cured it.

[Mike Nelson]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

Craig - When did this problem start? Just recently or has it been happening since you put the engine back in last fall? Also, do your other electrical items (lights, horn, etc.) work OK, but it just won't start? If so, I would agree with the gentleman who suggested that the starter might need a rebuild.

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1961 Ignition Problem

In good humor, I certainly expect a full report from Craig when his dilemma is resolved. That always helps us "xpertz" know what to say next time.