Dragging Starter

[Paul A.]

[Stephen L.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Sounds like you still have a "starter" problem. Even "rebuilt" starters can experience "heat soak" which I think is your problem. ( I don't know if a rebuilder can, or perform a heat soak during a rebuild) I would purchase another starter (generic) as a test. Install it and see if the problem is resolved. You might also visit the local rebuilder and discuss your problem....... you are NOT the first to experience this.... I've had the same problem with a BB Chevrolet........ Remember the engine starter worked great for most of its life........

Heat soak is winding resistance goes up with temp.........

[Paul A.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Will do. I’ve never thought of swapping out starter with another generic. What’s you feelings on the mini starter idea?

[Stephen L.]

Re: Dragging Starter

As I said, the original starter from the factory worked great in millions of Chevrolets for years. A mini starter may be needed if the compression has been significantly increased. Otherwise ???????

[Larry M.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Advanced initial timing @16 BTDC is also not helping. You might try and see if reducing to say 12 degrees helps any. If so, centrifugal advance curve can be re-adjusted to keep total number the same.

I would also inquire to see if your local starter shop can rebuild for additional load/torque. I had this done for my small block car...........but it was essentially rebuilt to big block specs. But perhaps your rebuilder knows of a few tricks that still can be done.

Larry

[Ronald L.]

Re: Dragging Starter

I had same issue 15 years ago with my survivor 390HP, all that was required was new brushes in the starter, they had worn down and "shorting" the insulation gaps. Even back decades ago with the best Hydraulic BB cam and a few other enhancements, these cars started fine with a stock starter. I'd really look at the rebuild, I had them put GM NOS brushes in mine.

[Leif A.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Advanced initial timing @16 BTDC is also not helping. You might try and see if reducing to say 12 degrees helps any. If so, centrifugal advance curve can be re-adjusted to keep total number the same.

I would also inquire to see if your local starter shop can rebuild for additional load/torque. I had this done for my small block car...........but it was essentially rebuilt to big block specs. But perhaps your rebuilder knows of a few tricks that still can be done.

Larry

^^^This. Any competent rebuilder should be able to do this...it's been done umpteen times over the years.

[Alan D.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Try spacer on starter, try some search's for this a common problem.
There is a way to measure the gap between gear and flywheel however,
I'm not the one to answer any tech problems

[Paul A.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Advanced initial timing @16 BTDC is also not helping. You might try and see if reducing to say 12 degrees helps any. If so, centrifugal advance curve can be re-adjusted to keep total number the same.

I would also inquire to see if your local starter shop can rebuild for additional load/torque. I had this done for my small block car...........but it was essentially rebuilt to big block specs. But perhaps your rebuilder knows of a few tricks that still can be done.

Larry

[Timothy B.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Give some thoughts to a stock distributor with the stock advance curve and vacuum advance. At sixteen degrees initial advance when hot seems way to much for a 390hp engine. The vacuum advance distributor will allow lower initial timing and when the engine starts you will get that 12-15* timing back from the vacuum advance. Combine that with the factory 6-8* initial and you will have 21-23* idle timing.

[Paul A.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Give some thoughts to a stock distributor with the stock advance curve and vacuum advance. At sixteen degrees initial advance when hot seems way to much for a 390hp engine. The vacuum advance distributor will allow lower initial timing and when the engine starts you will get that 12-15* timing back from the vacuum advance. Combine that with the factory 6-8* initial and you will have 21-23* idle timing.

[Mark E.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Too much initial timing was my initial thought too. As a test, set initial at factory spec (probably 4 to 8 degrees), disconnect the VAC and see what happens.
Your distributor only has 20 degrees of total centrifugal advance, so don't leave the timing like this after testing.

[Paul A.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Too much initial timing was my initial thought too. As a test, set initial at factory spec (probably 4 to 8 degrees), disconnect the VAC and see what happens.
Your distributor only has 20 degrees of total centrifugal advance, so don't leave the timing like this after testing.

Hi Mark, as described on above post. The distributor in the car now has no vac advance canister. Factory setting do not apply. If I retard to those numbers it will stall. At least until I replace the distributor. I’ve be searching for a GM 1111141 or comparable. Pic below is what’s in Corvette at present from p o. Wouldn’t a performance cam and or distributor such as this one increase or change original timing?

[Mark E.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Paul,

With regards to the starter "dragging", we're concerned with the initial static timing. That can be set to factory spec regardless of the type of distributor or cam.

Once you eliminate (or correct) initial static timing as a cause of the starting issue, and assuming the car is street driven, consider installing a distributor with a VAC. Without vacuum advance, the engine is running too retarded during low load, high vacuum conditions.

[Paul A.]

Re: Dragging Starter

Paul,

With regards to the starter "dragging", we're concerned with the initial static timing. That can be set to factory spec regardless of the type of distributor or cam.

Once you eliminate (or correct) initial static timing as a cause of the starting issue, and assuming the car is street driven, consider installing a distributor with a VAC. Without vacuum advance, the engine is running too retarded during low load, high vacuum conditions.

Mark, Thanks for that info. This past few days I was lucky enough to find a GM rebuilt distributor 1111141 for my year engine. Found him on Corvette Forum. He does have other model distributors, so if anyone is interested let me know.