The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Opinion about a starter

This starter on my 52 panel with a 1979/80 305 V8.
It spins like a top when engine cold--no compression.

..however, I've notice on occasions with engine hot, and depending on how long it sets before starting, that it spins the engine like the battery is about dead, but battery is good but not confirmed. (maybe I need to switch battery for a day?

I'm thinking either the starter is "dragging"
OR the starter is getting hot causing it to drag till it cools down, or the compression goes down on engine. (again, battery?)

I know some engines had insulation or shields on them to prevent them from getting hot. (Starter was new 5000 miles ago)

I'm just being lazy about pulling it off, or hunting down some insulation and just wondering what you guys think. It always spins fast when engine is cold or has set cooling off for a little bit which means the starter is dragging when the engine has compression or the starter is hot and has to cool off.

...OR the battery may NOT be up to the task for starting an engine with compression???.. I've seen that before in my day.

What cha think...do I need to carry a battery and jumper cables to test my theory, or pull the starter for a load test at my favorite starter shop?
The simple things first I guess...have I answered my own question? LOL

Check the voltage at the battery posts during a hot cranking attempt. If the battery is the problem, the terminal voltage will drop WAY down, like below 9 volts. If it's in the 9.5-10 volt range or above and the starter is cranking slow, you probably have starter problems.

Jerry

Thanks Jerry. I like the simply stuff first... I already have the battery cover off. Will check Monday.

Wire brush the battery cable connections lately? Check the ground cable on the engine block?

pulling the starter to have it checked won't help, it spins fine when cold, you can't pull it hot and keep it that hot all the way to the parts store and onto their tester. They will test and tell you it is fine!

You didn't say, but do you have headers? A Common issue on small block Chevy (especially with headers) is exactly as you described. As suggested above, verify again all your battery cable connections are clean (both ends) You can try a new starter, or a mini hi torque starter but, as Jerry suggested above, verify battery is good, check voltage while cranking (check hot and cold and note the difference). I think you will find, your battery voltage is dropping quite a bit when starter is hot. You might also find that a heat shield (just a piece of sheet metal) between exhaust and starter will help greatly.

You may also find a shop that can test starter draw and battery while in the car (I have an old tester that you hook to the battery, it will do a load test and you can also watch when charging or starting to see what is going on)

No big deal just inquisitive. Yep, nice solid grounds/connections, headers are ram horn original off 283.
....my nephew, who worked on diesels for many years has a load tester I just hate to drive 60 mile round trip! I'll find out Monday. (my personal inclination is the battery although it is fairly new ...which don't mean much this day and time.
Thanks for all the advice and checks. I'll do Jerry's test myself.

Common problem if you have headers on you're truck,you might have to get one of those mini starters . My buddy down the street has a 49 1/2 ton with a 307 with headers and we just put one in his truck.He put up with bad hot starts for years I finally got him to get one and now his truck has no problems.I also put one on my 52 with Mopar BB because the headers were to close to the stock starter and would get it to hot.

Pete

There is a bushing in the nose of the starter, when it gets worn, similar symptoms, should be available at starter shop, cheap, easy, while starter is off.

Ed

Check the ignition timing, it doesn't take much for it to be advanced just a little to much. When the engine gets hot it will drag when trying to start.