starter rebuild needed?

[Chris H.]

62 340 hp. Everything under the hood is numbers matching. Engine rebuilt, original radiator that did well in flow test, older goat hill rebuilt starter, Restoration Battery, older rebuild on carb.

Engine starts great when cold and drives great. After a drive in 75 degree weather and fully warmed up starts great. However drive on a +80 degree day the engine is a bit warmer, but nowhere near overheating, starter will barely turn over. Let it cool down for an hour and it starts right up.

Checked battery and it checks out ok (passes load test at 500 amps)

Timing set at idle (600 rpm) at 0 degrees. idles reasonably well with a little lumpiness. (updated the cam)

I believe my next step is to take off the starter and get it checked. What should I look for? Seems to be a problem when the starter is hot.

Any rebuilders in Detroit area?

thanks, Chris

[Wes S.]

Re: starter rebuild needed?

Check the starter brushes, might be close to being worn out. If that does work send it to Masters City.

[Joe L.]

Re: starter rebuild needed?

62 340 hp. Everything under the hood is numbers matching. Engine rebuilt, original radiator that did well in flow test, older goat hill rebuilt starter, Restoration Battery, older rebuild on carb.

Engine starts great when cold and drives great. After a drive in 75 degree weather and fully warmed up starts great. However drive on a +80 degree day the engine is a bit warmer, but nowhere near overheating, starter will barely turn over. Let it cool down for an hour and it starts right up.

Checked battery and it checks out ok (passes load test at 500 amps)

Timing set at idle (600 rpm) at 0 degrees. idles reasonably well with a little lumpiness. (updated the cam)

I believe my next step is to take off the starter and get it checked. What should I look for? Seems to be a problem when the starter is hot.

Any rebuilders in Detroit area?

thanks, Chris

Chris------

My guess is you could rebuild the starter or, even, install a brand new starter and you're going to have the same problem. I've been down this road THOROUGHLY and the only permanent solution I ever found was the installation of a remote solenoid. The problem is caused by heat-induced resistance in the purple wire to the "S" terminal on the solenoid and its consequent failure to deliver full voltage to the "S" terminal.

A few things you could try first is to check the connections on both ends of the purple wire or replace the ignition switch. These might solve it although I doubt it. It's worth a try, though.

[Chris H.]

Re: starter rebuild needed?

Well that would certainly kill some points!

Any recommendations on a remote solenoid and its installation? I am willing to try one just to see if it solves the issue.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/10301/10002/-1?CT=999

I did find some other comments and will try the water hose on the starter to see if that allows a hot motor start.

Also does anyone have the part number for the solenoid spring that is recommended for this issue>

[Larry M.]

Re: starter rebuild needed?

Well that would certainly kill some points!

Any recommendations on a remote solenoid and its installation? I am willing to try one just to see if it solves the issue.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/10301/10002/-1?CT=999

I did find some other comments and will try the water hose on the starter to see if that allows a hot motor start.

Also does anyone have the part number for the solenoid spring that is recommended for this issue>

Chris:

I had a very similar problem on my 1967 327/350 HP factory air car.......especially during the summer months here in south Louisiana. I sent the starter to John Pirkle and they rebuilt the starter AND converted it internally to big block starter specifications (additional field coils). It now starts ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, and could probably turn over a commercial John Deere bulldozer diesel. It doesn't have the same "vintage Corvette starter/cranking sound" anymore, but it also doesn't leave me stranded for an hour to cool down. Suggest you call John Jr and have them do the same to your starter. The conversion is not visually detectable in the car.

I also found that as the battery ages over the years, that this will also hurt starting performance.....so make sure you have a good battery and keep it fully charged. Also make certain that the battery cables and end connections are in very good shape and not corroded or pulling apart. And finally (although this is not easy to check), ensure that you have the correct clearance between the starter gear and the flywheel teeth.....if not add a shim or two.

Been there and done that.....Larry

[Dick W.]

Re: starter rebuild needed?

Chris:

I had a very similar problem on my 1967 327/350 HP factory air car.......especially during the summer months here in south Louisiana. I sent the starter to John Pirkle and they rebuilt the starter AND converted it internally to big block starter specifications (additional field coils). It now starts ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, and could probably turn over a commercial John Deere bulldozer diesel. It doesn't have the same "vintage Corvette starter/cranking sound" anymore, but it also doesn't leave me stranded for an hour to cool down. Suggest you call John Jr and have them do the same to your starter. The conversion is not visually detectable in the car.

I also found that as the battery ages over the years, that this will also hurt starting performance.....so make sure you have a good battery and keep it fully charged. Also make certain that the battery cables and end connections are in very good shape and not corroded or pulling apart. And finally (although this is not easy to check), ensure that you have the correct clearance between the starter gear and the flywheel teeth.....if not add a shim or two.

Been there and done that.....Larry

Had Pirkle build me a high torque special for the '72 BB. I believe you could use it to convert the car to a hybrid. Spins the engine like there is no compression. That conversion is the hot tip.

[Gene M.]

Re: starter rebuild needed?

Clean and flip over the copper plate in the solenoid. The contact terminal and the plate pit up and increase resistance. This is an easy fix....... Most times this works.

[Domenic T.]

Re: starter rebuild needed?

I put the high torque starter in and it didn't help much. It did help a little but I remember stopping for gas on a long drive to work and it wouldn't start.

I did the water trick and it started right up.

I think Joe understands the problem but I can understand your position.

I changed the whole starter as the high torque uses a spacer between the solonoid and the starter lead, and thought the problem was solved but it wasn't, I insulated (heat shield) it from the exhaust and that helped.

DOM