Starter

The high torque starter I installed several years ago was acting the same as yours & I even had it wrapped with a heat resistant covering I'd gotten from a local parts store. I finally pulled the stsrter & had it checked even though it was not that old. Turned out the starter was almost shot. A new starter cured my problem & has been working great since then - kept the heat resistant covering on it of course. FWIW.

Have you checked your ground straps? Shiny and tight?

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:
Have you checked your ground straps? Shiny and tight?

Yes, I cleaned the connections as well. It's odd that it cranks all day when cold, but once I stop for gas & such, trying to start again it turns over very slow.

Build all new cables from 00 gauge welding wire with soldered ends. I did this to my car years ago and never had a cranking problem again. I still even have the same starter after 20 years. Did have to replace the bendix once.

I had the same problem but in cold weather with my 69 fairlane. Cranked it so long the cables smoked and melted the insulation. Put in bigger cables in it too and never a problem again hot or cold.

If you like the timing, i suspect you like the final timing and static. However reducing the initial will also retard everything.

What you need to consider is increasing the span on the machanical advance, so in the end you can you can keep the same final but have a little less static.

But first try using ported vacuum advance instead of manifold vacuum, like George recommends, that may be all you need to retard it during cranking.

My engine always cranked slow when hot, even with clean terminals, new battery and new high torque mini starter. I finally went to ACE Hardware and had them make me a new ground strap (from trans to chassis) out of the heaviest wire/cable they had. That cost me about three or four dollars. My starter is now unstoppable! I would suggest that if you have not personally installed a new strap since you bought the car, give it a try. It is way simple and cheap.

I never had any lazy starting when hot with the old original starter, but when I installed the mini hi torque starter (to save weight) it would sometimes do it when hot.
The first thing I did was wrap the starter in that silver heat reflective stuff. Not sure if this improved things really as it would still sometimes do it.

Next, I made a little aluminium scoop under the car and ducted a pipe into the back of the wrapped starter.
I made sure there was an air gap between the wrap and the starter body with neoprene strips. At the same time I removed the original solenoid from the bulkhead and ran the battery cable direct to the solenoid on the mini starter. I thought it was a bit silly going through two solenoids, but I didn't feel like rewiring it at the time of installing the starter.

Since I did this 3 years ago it's been perfect. As I changed two things at the same time, I dont really know which fixed the problem! I think it was probably the solenoid bit that did it. It's nice to know that the starter is not getting hot though.

When I originally restored the car I made a nice quality earth strap at the back of the tranny, and I also installed a smaller one on the front of the engine. Belt and braces, you know.

Johnny

quote:

Originally posted by DOES 200:
I have a high torque starter that I purchased a few years ago and the car turns over great except for when it gets warm and I try and restart it. When warm it turns over, but very very slow when cranking. The battery is strong however. I thought the timing may be high, but I like where it is except for this warm starting problem. Maybe the heat is affecting the starter somehow? Has anyone wrapped their starter in some type of heat resistant dynomat type of material or similar product?

Did you ever resolve this Problem?

I am now having the same problem whereas I have to let the car cool off at the gas station in order to get it to start again.

Did you ever resolve this Problem? I am now having the same problem whereas I have to let the car cool off at the gas station in order to get it to start again.[/QUOTE]

Not resolved yet, as I have been out of state. Having 3 Pants keeps one busy, but the simplest thing I may try first is some type of heat resistant material around (or on) the starter. But like others said, try cleaning the terminals first, which I will do as well. I try and run mine when I get to the gas station, unless they run out and tell me to switch it off (but that is only 1% of the time).

Remove the coil wire. If it cranks fast, then the initial timing is too far advanced. If it still cranks slow, then it truly is the starter and associated components heat soaking.

Will give that a try, thanks.