Starter Question

[Kurt B.]

I have read all the posts over the years regarding heat soak and hard starting of engines once they are warmed up and have even tried some of the remedies suggested by various members; all with no luck. My 68 with newly rebuilt motor starts perfect when cold but after it warms up if you shut it down and try to restart it acts as though the battery is dead. Wait a while for cool down and it cranks and starts normal.
Here is my question: These cars didn't do this when they were new, and mine didn't do it after a rebuild in 1972, why now am I having this problem after owning this car for 33 years and never experiencing this starting problem in the past? It defies logic. The engine is professionally rebuilt, the starter was likewise rebuilt by a starter rebuilder well known to this list. I want to keep the car strictly factory original so I can not mount a Ford solenoid on the fender and I have replaced the solenoid and the solenoid spring.
Any thoughts, comments, suggestions?
GM didn't design this car to have a hard start problem. Why are so many experiencing this same syndrome?
Thanks,
Kurt # 26406

[Donald M.]

Re: Starter Question

Kurt, you didn't mention the condition of the battery. If it is a few years old,it may be losing its ability to turn over a hot engine, a task more difficult than turning over a cold one. I had the same problem with my car and a new battery cured it immediately. Have a mechanic perform a hot load /voltage test on the battery, this will tell the tale. If the battery tests marginal, replace it. Just a quick place to check.

[Roy B.]

Re: Starter Question

It's usually the same things over and over if the battery is OK
1 Corroded battery cable some where in it's casing or cheap ones used
2 When Corvettes are restored (paint)having a poor ground or loosing a good ground
3 Starter armature shorting or solenoid going bad

Many people over look the cables just because they may look good.
After trying to start your engine when hot , try holding the key on start for a short time . THEN take hold of the battery cable (ether one) to see if they are getting HOT, if yes BAD CABLES.
You can also locate bad cables if you can jump start the starter direct using another battery and the engine starts and if not it's the starter no matter who rebuilt it.
This is only my 2cents

[John O.]

Re: Starter Question

Hi Kurt

I had the same problem with my 1956 Chevy with a built 350 in it. It started good cold. Had trouble starting while hot. I changed the cables. I made my own using welding cable. Approximatly 3/4 inch diameter. Starts great every time. Now i'm not saying for you to use big cables but I do believe thats where your problems are. Bad cables, connections, grounds. Also, make sure your timing is correct.Hot engine and timing off could do this also.

Good luck...John

[Kurt B.]

Re: Starter Question

Thanks all for the input. Some very good information here and I do appreciate it. Battery is new, radiator is new, starter and solenoid are new; actually most everything on the car is new as this restoration has taken me exactly 10 years and I have replaced or refurbished almost every part on the car. Oddly enough the cables are the originals but I did check for good grounds everywhere but I will try some of the other things mentioned. After all the time and money I have spent on this car I do not want to have starting and driveability problems plus the fact that it's my baby and I want it to be perfect. I have had this car longer than I have had my wife and kids.
Kurt

[Terry M.]

Re: Starter Question

How is the ground jumper cable that runs from the cylinder case to the frame (by-passing the rubber engine mounts)? The one on the passenger side engine mount. Those can be lose or corroded, and because it is out of sight .....

[Rob A.]

Re: Starter Question

Kurt,

I had similar problems with a '67 I owned. The cure turned out to be a new negative battery cable. Can't explain why, but I replaced the neg cable one time when it wouldn't start hot, and it started right up. Just a thought...

[Roy B.]

Re: Starter Question 6Volts

Just thought I would also throw this in the mix. 53 to 54 6Volt Corvettes after running for a while also have the same problem I hear about starting hard or turning over slow. You need to use #1 THICK cables NOT the 12Volt cables because they wont carry the amps TO THINN ( like using CHEAP battery jumper cables) Ask or get the heavy 6V cables and your ready to go. So many people over look the cables as their problem just because they look good.
That's why the electrical harness is a heavy cage on 6V cars compared to 12V wires. I just wonder if the repro's people get are made understanding this. ??? Just my two 2cents again guys.

[Kurt B.]

Re: Starter Question

All the cables are new factory original, not aftermarket or generic. I was particularly careful to make sure the grounds were nice and clean when I installed the cables, which was only a few weeks ago. Cleaned all the terminals with emory cloth as well. Possibly something to with the starter internally whihc is being affected by the heat of the engine or could it just be that the engine gets real tight when it is hot since it has only been run about 4 hours since it was entirely rebuilt? Is it possible it will loosen up with use and make it easier to start or am I wishful thinking?
Kurt

[Rob A.]

Re: Starter Question

I understand your frustration, it sounds like you're covering all the bases. Maybe you're on to something with regard to the internal starter components. I know it's not an easy job removing the starter, but maybe you could have someome test it while duplicating the hot conditions during which it won't function on your car. Good luck...

[Kurt B.]

Are all starter armatures the same?

Can I buy a new armature and replace mine with a new one in case heat is somehow affecting the armature currently in my starter? I know nothing of automotive electronics so I apologize if this is a dumb question. I could however remove and replace if that would help.
Kurt

[Rob A.]

Re: Starter Question

Kurt,

Next time it's hot and won't start, you might try running an extra gound wire(you could use a jumper cable) from the - battery terminal directly to the engine block and see if it makes a difference.

[Kurt B.]

Re: Starter Question

Rob,
Good idea. I will try that.
Thanks
Kurt

[Roy B.]

Re: Starter Question Kurt

I cant see a new rebuilt engine giving you this problem if it was done correct. It would be a good idea to drive your Corvette to a starter (small rebuild electric shop) and they should be able to locate your problem on the spot. Don't guess about it just do that . I still think your starter armature may be shorting under heat or the cables cant carry the amps.

[Kurt B.]

Re: Starter Question Kurt

Roy,
I agree because when I replaced the motor in the arly 70s with a new one I never had a starting problem.
I am running it now to see if Rob's suggestion with the negative cable will make a difference. Don't have much gas and its not registered so can't drive anywhere right now.
Kurt