I drive a 1981 L81 with a standard 350 shortblock. The problem i am having is with the starter. When I attempt to crank the car, If it starts with the first attempt, then all is well and off I go. If it does not start with the first cranking and I attempt to try starting again then it will not even turnover, acts like there is no juice at all. I can wait about 15-20 minutes and try again and it will crank again, but once again if not starting on first attempt it seems to disconnect so to speak. Is this 1st crank attempt doing something to the solenoid so the 2nd crank won't make contact? Help..Dr.G

 

Welcome to CF!
Check your cables and connections, also, you may have a "dead spot" in your solinoid. You may have to replace it.

 

Your on the money Starship, Start by cheching all the battery and ground connections if that doesn't fix it go with a jumper between the "S" terminal and battery connection and see if it's the solenoids or the starter. PG

 

It could be the starter solenoid which is just a simple electromagnet, it consists of a coil of wire, a plunger and a heavy copper disc that makes the high current contacts to the starter. It sounds like the coil is breaking after the first attempt because of the heat generated within the windings, if all of the external wire connections are clean and tight I would connect a remote starter switch to the solenoid and make repeated attempts at starting, the problem should show up if it's the solenoid or starter motor.

 

.Thanks guys...will run check on the solenoid and get back with yall...Dr.G.