Hard start when hot

['87 Static Slam]

oh yeah, i got one other thing that KILLS ME!!

when my truck is hot and i try to start it, it lags REALLY bad trying to turn over. almost like my battery is dead. just a really slow woomp, wooomp, woooomp. and then if im lucky it will turn over. it only does this when its hot. i have actually had to sit at the gas station for 15 mins until it cools off to be able to start it again. when its cold it turns over real qwik with no problems. but hot, after running around town, im lucky to get it to turn over.

any thoughts and or replies would be greatly appreciated!

[68GMCCustom]

is this a BBC or SBC? Sounds like maybe your starter is going out? Or maybe...your battery is going bad. Batteries don't like the heat.

[pseudopimp]

when i first read this i was thinking battery. hopefully that is it.

['87 Static Slam]

battery is fine as far as i know, it only a few months old. everything else works great when its hot. i still have working, bright lights, loud stereo, the only thing dif is its hard to turn over. it does feel like the battery is dead or drained when it happens, but let it cool and BAM! no probs!

confusing, right?? lol

....68GMCCustom,,,,its a small block 350 5.7

[Matt Man]

If you have headers make sure the starter is not making contact, if not the starter could just be getting tired.

[68GMCCustom]

sounding more like a starter problem? only other thing I can think of is theres a problem in one of the wires? Have you checked both the ground and the +12v cables at both ends for a good clean corrosion free connections? w/o any issues in the cable (seen them corrode almost in the middle due to moisture I guess) anywhere?

[primetime]

the starter solenoid could be heat soaked. try using a 'remote' style like the fords use

[73chevyman]

yea if you have headers sometimes they heat up and cause that problem..... a heat sheild will help that problem...... my cousin had a 71 chevelle had the same problem he made a heat sheild and it stopped the hot start problem i would replace the starter and make or find a heat sheild for it......

[old Rusty C10]

starter is going if youre running headers they could be too close to the starter you may need some kind of heat shield

[tucsonjwt]

Starter heat soak is the diagnosis. Normally caused by excess heat and little free air space caused by big blocks. Of course, I suppose headers too close to the starter can have the same effect. Summit has a heat reflective wrap for the starter to help his condition - but I have not tried it for my big block. Here is what I have tried on my big blocks - all of which helped but never completely cured the problem:

Remote solenoid - like Fords have - Summit and others have kits made for this.

High torque mini starter - I got a genuine GM high torque mini starter from Scroggins-
Dickey.

Dual start batteries.

Good luck.

[68GMCCustom]

...one last thing. whats your base timing at?

[STOCKISH]

Timing too far advanced will cause the same issue. Try to rteard the timing a little before replacing the starter. From the front of the truck grab the vacuum advance on the side of the distributor and push it torwards the firewall about 1 inch. See what that does first. Goos luck.

[datguysaL]

yup, i had the same problem with bbc, the headers heated my starter, and that caused the same problem your having, add a heat shield to teh starter or wrap your headers. i did both.