[munch]

After I take my car for a ride and park it, it is hard to start if you don't let it cool down.  I am thinking that maybe the heat is getting to the starter.  Does anyone know of an effective shield that looks good?  Or do you think there might be something else going on?

[chopper526]

My questions would be, how close is the starter to the exhaust, how enclosed is the area around the starter, and how old is the starter? If the starter is old I would consider replacing it. I think I saw some heat shields on Speedway that looked nice, or maybe consider a thermal blanket around the starter. My two cents.

[sammons]

Munch, another thing to look at might be your timing.  Have you checked it lately?  Sometimes the tie down bolt doesn't get tight enough and might have moved.

[munch]

It is a small block 35 with shorty headers and the pipes are very close to the starter.  The starter is a remanufactured unit and I is not very old.  Should I look at a higher end unit?

I will check the timing.

Thanks

[chopper526]

Sammons makes a good point. What temp is the engine running? Of course if it is running hot that could affect the starter, and timing advanced too far could cause the engine to run hot. But I am betting on the starter being too close to the headers and maybe being a rebuild. A shield is much cheaper than a new starter.

[RH]

You might be able to make something too. My fuel filter is real close to my exhaust and I made a nice heat shield for it using a piece of black gutter flashing. Covered the inside with hi-heat tape and it works great.

[EDNY]

Had the same concern...just bought a "mini-starter" on eBay for about $50 delivered.  They have heat shields for the mini ..that don't look that bad either.

[62131]

I would think you either have a coil or ignition module which can't take the heat soak or you are getting no fuel. Use a spark tester to check for coil or module problems. If you get good spark, look into the carb while it is hot but not running, pump the accelerator linkage and see if a reasonable shot of fuel is squirted into the manifold. If not, you have no fuel in the carb bowl or your accelerator pump is shot. Try pouring in a little, maybe a bottle cap full, of fuel and see if it then cranks. If it does and runs then your accelerator pump is shot and you need a new one. If it cranks but goes dead you are not getting fuel into the carb and that could be due to vapor lock or a bad pump or fuel filter. Replace the filter first. Then wrap some crinkled up aluminum foil around your fuel line is several places. If that helps, it is vapor lock and you need to repair that. If it still does not crank check the pump pressure at the carb. If it is low, replace the pump. Hope this helps

[madmike3434]

After I take my car for a ride and park it, it is hard to start if you don't let it cool down.  I am thinking that maybe the heat is getting to the starter.  Does anyone know of an effective shield that looks good?  Or do you think there might be something else going on?

hard starting after running, I would look into timing being advanced too much.

The new GEAR DOUBLE REDUCTION starters off the the regular small block not the new ls series is way to go.  Also the really small and lightweight ( 10 pounds ) gear reduction starter from the 1988--1991 corvette 350 is the preferred one to have.  You can find the nipondenso starter on ebay............gm dealer $300 +, rebuilders $80--100 from florida.  NOTE THE STARTER MOUNTING BOLTS ARE STRAIGHT ACROSS NOT STAGGGERED.  This also requires special knurled bolts that get torqued.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Quality-Built-12235-1-4-kW-Nippondenso-Starter-Clockwise-Starter-Motor-/231205983819?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d4f3564b&vxp=mtr

mike

[62131]

Another thing you might want to check is your connections or your ignition to solenoid wire size might be to small.
.

 Jump the power lead from the starter to the solenoid when hot, if it starts, then it could be your "start" wire from your keyed ignition....Too small of gauge....
That's after checking your timing.
 

[themoose]

Don't forget that there are two sides to the starter circuit..Make sure you have a good engine to battery/chassis ground and the connections are clean and tight. Poor grounds are probably one of the biggest causes of electrical system "Gremlins"

Moose