First post and first vette. Really excited to be part of the vette ownership.I have redone the interior of my 82 vette and have it looking really nice. The car runs great except after about 2 hours of running in the Texas heat the car will not start. Still has power but wont turn over at all. If I let it sit for about 2 hours then it will crank again with no problem. I have replaced the starter and thought that would solve the problem but not to be. Any ideas from some of you experts out there??

 

Hi llammons and welcome to the forum.
I've never had any "Hot Start" problems but plenty of us have. There is a "Wrap" that you can get from the catalog houses but I found this site. http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/solenoid.htm I have not tried this myself so lets see if any other forum members have and lets get there feedback before you spend any money on this. PG.

 

Did you check ground and positive connections? Did you replace solenoid? Also I've gotten bad rebuilt starters before.

Edit: Forgot to mention if you have headers, that put extra heat on starter and the insulator/shield pg mentioned should help.

 

I have checked ground and positive connections. I have not replaced the solenoid so that could be the root of the problem. I do not have headers so the extra heat should not be the problem. It does sound like the wrap could help but I would like to see if anyone has actually had success solving their problem using this method. Thanks for all for the replies.

 

Hi llammons, you say you replaced the starter but it did not include a new solenoid mounted on it? Next time the thing wont start, get under the car with a test light or dc volt meter, have a helper turn the key to "crank" and check for 11 to 13 volts at the solenoid "S" terminal. If you have voltage but no action from the solenoid then you have located at least one problem- the solenoid. If the solenoid "clunks" but the starter motor doesn't spin, then the starter motor is the culprit.

 

sounds like heat soak to me!! I had a 68 camaro that did the same thing with stock manifolds and exhaust. i bought a heat sheild from j c whitneys and a new starter and no more issues.

 

QUESTION TO THE FORUM FELLAS': Is there any relay in the starting circuit that could become open due to heat? When the "not starting when hot" problem hit me a number of times over the years, it has always been the starter, same as you guys. Good Luck w/ that one.

 

On most GM cars, the solenoid is a giant relay in that it takes a low current 12V signal from the key in the start position and closes the contacts for the high current 12V signal that runs the starter while at the same time engaging the starter in to the flywheel.

I've heard that when the solenoid first starts to go bad, you can tap it with a hammer and it'll engage.

 

If a heat shield doesn't work, you might think about changing the starter to a racing starter, like from Jeggs or Sumitt. It will be about 1/2 the size, so you will have more room around it for better air flow. And, they are made for racing, so will stand up to heat MUCH better than a rebuilt. BTW, It should bolt right up.