Thread: Starting problems.

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When I first start my restored 1970 ford pick up,every things good.
But after a quick stop at a store, it won't restart for some time.
This has been a pain in the butt since I got the truck.
It has new battery cables, new solenoid and starter.
The battery has had a load test done on it and worked great.
The truck has a newer 1989, fuel injected 302 and a aod trany.
Which all the works came out of a 1989 Lincoln.
Anyway I decided to build a heat shield for the starter to see if
it may be getting to hot, from the stock exhaust.
I'm just using some old sheet metal, I bent to a half moon shape,
then I'm gonna weld some tabs on to hold up off every thing.
Anyone else have this problem with your stuff and how did you
fix the problem?
Thanks Kurt

My first thought was too much heat in the starter which sounds you've addressed that... otherwise worn brushes/contacts in the starter motor but since you replaced the starter that shouldn't be it

My guess is your heat shield will fix it...

-Chris

I've seen instances where someone does all kinds of things to cure a problem such as yours, new starter, ignition , battery cables etc. All the stuff you've done only to find that the battery was weak. It would start a cold engine just fine, but once warmed up, no go! If you have, or can borrow, a different battery to substitute you may find that that's the problem. I know you've had yours tested, but tests aren't always accurate. Sounds too simple, but I've seen it happen.

Kurt, check the amperage draw on the starter when the engine is both hot and cold....sounds like some bad internals...maybe the armature or brushes....

My thoughts are grounds, connections, and the size of the battery cables. If the cables are too small (wire gauge) for the hook up length you will build up heat which will increase the resistance of the wire and cause the type of problem you're having. Inadequate grounds and too much advance in the timing could also cause your problem.

Did you paint the starter or mounting flange when you did the engine/tranny swap? If so, make sure there isn't any paint on the mating surfaces between the starter and the mounting flange - it needs to be bare metal to bare metal to get a good ground. I had the same problem, and this was my solution.

Thanks guys for all the input.
First I'm gonna test the amps, cold and hot.
Then if that don't check out, I'll go down the list.
The engine has brand new ground wires on it,
and I did'nt paint the starter.

Thanks Kurt