The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Hard to start when hot

I have a 1951 Chevy Pick Up with a 235 that is hard to start when it is hot. It starts great when it is cold and if it is restarted shortly after turning it off (such as when I go to get gas). But if it sets for more than about 10 minutes, it will not start easily. The engine does not seem to turn over as fast when it is hot. I can usually push start it and get it going. After it cools down it will start fine again. It still has manual choke and throtle and foot starter. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Have you checked and cleaned the cables to the starter and the ground?

The starter may be getting a little tired. Oh, have you checked and set your dwell & timing?

Yes I did check / clean the battery cable and ground connections. I also had the starter rebuilt. The one thing I did not do was take the advice of the guy who rebuilt the starter. He said to get a bigger battery cable - about as big around as your thumb (00 maybe ???). I may try it.

I have not checked timing and dwell but will do so.

Is your system 6 or 12 volts ? When mine was 6 I always had problems starting after the engine was really hot (such as idling in line at the dump). So as soon as I shut it off to unload my truck, it was almost a certain thing that I would not be able to restart the truck until after the engine cooled down a little.

Then I switched to 12 volts & the problems for both extreme hot and cold temps have gone away....

It is 6 Volts. When I bought the truck it was my intent to convert it to 12 Volts. But I feel like I am so close to getting the 6V to work that I hate to give in. Seems like converting to 12V would just mask another problem. It is good to know that 12V solved your problem and that it is an option if all else fails.

Joe, Do a search here on the page. The 6 volt cable problem has been written about a few times. Click here for one thread

You need at least a size 2/0 battery cable on both the positive and negative side of the battery. I had mine made up at a shop that services larger trucks. Be sure to connect the ground to a spot as close to the starter as possible.

Also make sure you have a good ground strap or cable between the frame and the block.

I am betting that a cable change will solve your problem. My 6 volt system spins as quickly as any 12 volt set-up..

Hi Joe M!

I had an identical problem with my 46. It has a 235 engine and a 6 volt system. I cured the problem you have with a bigger ground cable. The positive was the correct size but the ground was more in keeping with a 12 volt. The bigger ground cable, connected to the starter mount bolt, fixed the problem.
Hope it does for you.
George

Another thing to look for:
If the engine has been rebuilt, there may not be sufficient piston clearance. Dont laugh, a fella with a 55 1st series had to re-do his engine for that reason...

Then again, I had the same problem my my 53. A good re-charge of the battery was sufficient to fix the problem...

Go with the biggest cables you can find,6 volt systems can use all the help it can get and definately check the timing. Jeff

I had the same problem on my 235. When I replace the electrical harness, I found a nearly broken wire from the coil to ground. The problem went away after the new harness but I always suspected that wire.

Another question - the starter on my 235 is from the original 216 engine - should this matter? Does the 216 starter have enough umph for the 235?

I think I have answered my own question on the 216 starter. From what I have read it sounds like it should be ok. Thanks to all that have responded to the initial question. Being a rookie at this, I will have to say that this forum is a great way to learn. I'm looking forward to trying many of the suggestions.

Are you using a 235 of 216 flywheel,I have heard they are different as they use different tooth count flywheels and they wont interchange.You might want to look into this before you try to install a 235 starter. Someone out there should know if this is correct.

If ya have good ground wires & a good battery & ya are still gettin' ru ru ru it sounds like the field coils in the starter are fried. Time for a rebuild.

I set up my 261 to use my 216 starter by having the flywheel machined for the 216 ring gear, it worked out nice.

HEY JOE: I had a similar in my 54 Chrysler six volter. I bought a OPTIMA battery and it has more and longer cranking power. It was about $ 100.00 but I didn't have to convert to 12 volts and it will outlast a number of lead acid batteries. Worth the money to me. GOOD LUCK

I think we have success! I had some big cables made (2/0) and put one from negative termimnal on the battery to the mounting bolt on the starter. So far so good. I have been able to start every time - hot or cold. Thanks for all the good advice guys.

Joe M.

Had the same problem with my '54 235...if bigger cables helped, great.

A number of "greybeards" have told me to have the starter motor re-built using "hi-torque" field coils....will try this if I get backed-into a corner.

Have not yet been forced into a 12-volt conversion on any of my old iron....

Frank McMullen