440 trouble cranking when hot.

[gamercier]

I have a 440 fresh build 30 over flat top pistons, purple cam, 800 cfm thunder series AVS all new parts. When the car is at operating temperature, it is very hard to restart. The starter seems to be dragging and will turn over very slow. Replaced the starter with a high torque one - no change. Replaced the battery with no change. Reduced the timing but lost power. Anyone have ideas?

 

[Dennis H]

Connections.

 

[gamercier]

Connections.

Which ones? It cranks fine when cold.

 

[Dennis H]

All. Battery etc. Start with easy stuff. Been there. Good luck.

 

[moparnation74]

Does it seem to be heat soaked?

 

[gamercier]

Does it seem to be heat soaked?

Could you explain heat soaked. Not familiar.

 

[Dennis H]

When mine was heat soaked, it still turned over fine. Just would not start. Sounds different.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

betting you have headers on the car, heat soak of the starter will cause your symptoms.

If so, a heat shield of some sort between the headers and starter will help.

 

[gamercier]

When mine was heat soaked, it still turned over fine. Just would not start. Sounds different.

Roger. When it gets warmed up, it like the battery is almost dead. When it cools after about 3-5 minutes, it starts ok.

 

[moparnation74]

The component(block) reaches equilibrium with the temperature of the gasses flowing through it....Typical for big blocks and the heat boils the fuel A carb spacer helps with this...Or the starter is heated if you have headers...Only things I can think of

 

[gamercier]

The component(block) reaches equilibrium with the temperature of the gasses flowing through it....Typical for big blocks and the heat boils the fuel A carb spacer helps with this...Or the starter is heated if you have headers...Only things I can think of

Thanks

 

[BeatersRus]

might be a stupid question,but,did you increase the timing?
i saw you reduced it and it lost power,try the other direction,
see what happens.

altho,just from youve said,it might be eggsackly what Dennis says.
simple connections.
ive had the terminals be bad,to where they melt,the cables be corroded Inside the housing sheath,the starter relays been bad before,the negatives will be on the motor but nothing from battery to chassis etc etc.
id start with your connections and try the timing.
please let us know how you make out.

 

[SlinktRR]

common issue with the edelbrocks. The fuel bowls can't handle the under hood heat after the car is shut off. What results is some sort of flooding or extreme rich mixture. Fortunately, in most cases you can get it started by putting the pedal to the floor as if the engine was flooded, crank and let off the gas pedal as soon as it fires. Don't pump the pedal like a cold start that just makes it worse with extra fuel from the acc pump.

 

[Bruzilla]

His problem is with cranking, not starting, so it's not the carb or timing. The battery and starter are only as good as that blasted cable that runs between them, and as cables get old, they start to fall apart, split, and literally go to pieces. They may look splendid on the outside, but under that vinyl veneer they are nothing but arc city. When the cable cools, the metal contracts and the current flow is better. As it heats up and expands, the opposite occurs.

I fixed this problem by going to Advance Auto Parts and asking the counter guy for the thickest battery cable they had. He found me an OMG AWG that is about 1/2" thick and had a clear cover. It had been in stock so long the clear cover had yellowed and the price was all of $2.99. Put that baby on and no more current flow issues.

 

[747mopar]

I'm guessing connections or heat soak in the starter. I had that problem and went to a mini starter to gain more breathing room, so far so good. If you have those junk clamp ends on the battery cables get rid of them, other than that clean all the connections and be sure they're tight.

 

[moparnation74]

I'm guessing connections or heat soak in the starter. I had that problem and went to a mini starter to gain more breathing room, so far so good. If you have those junk clamp ends on the battery cables get rid of them, other than that clean all the connections and be sure they're tight.

Yes...high probability.....

 

[Mike67]

You can also try a starter wrap, it will help. I also installed sleeves on my fuel lines where they pass close to the headers.
I used DEI products..
http://www.jegs.com/i/DEI/186/01040...1&cadevice=m&gclid=CKbP8O3Eg9QCFYMCaQodRjoB8Q
https://www.ebay.com/p/?iid=1622253...17182-37290-0%26rvr_id%3D1217669217618&chn=ps

 

[SlinktRR]

I have headers around a stock starter. Stock battery cables. On a hot restart after a long drive in traffic, it can act like the starter is having trouble turning or even no spark. Then I put the pedal to the floor. Turn key. Engine starts immediately. I've had the same starter for 6 years now. Always does it in hot weather, or long idling with hot underhood temps. Edelbrock carb. I've tried heat wrap and it keeps coming back to the carb.

I dont dispute the problem can be battery cables or heat soak of the starter. Heat soak can affect the carb as well which is one of the reasons why the street demons and thermoquads have the phenolic fuel bowls.