[amature]

I have a sbc 350 it seems to start/run fine when cold. I have very few miles on the engine after rebuilding it so I have only driven it a few times for 4-5 miles each trip for testing.

I noticed the last two trips if I stop the engine after driving for about 20 minutes (heat soak the engine compartment) and let it set for about 10 minutes. It will not restart until it cools down. It also seems to turn over slower than normal when it is hot?

Today I wrapped some insulating tape on the fuel line before the drive and still had the same problems restarting after shutting engine off and letting set for about 10 minutes. I did think to try restarting right after I parked the car. Starting immediately worked fine but when I let it set for 10 minutes it would not start and the starter turned slower than normal (same as above).



I have sst headers and a mechanical fuel pump on the engine. Do you think I have vapor lock and does anyone think I will benefit by using the header insulation you can get at the local car parts stores? I am also thinking about adding a electric fan to help cool the engine compartment. My thinking is the engine compartment temperature is peaking after the shutdown and giving me vapor lock and maybe overheating my starter.

[stinger460]

vapor lock could be a possibility, however i'd look at the module in the dist, often the mod will get hot from soaking up heat and cause ignition problems. try moving fuel lines away from heat sources, no headers should not create this problems,

[ericnova72]

If it just cranks too slow to fire after it heat soaks for a minute, it isn't vapor lock. Look at the starter getting too hot, inadequate size battery cables, bad starter cable or ground cable connections, or a weak battery.

You may have to wrap or shield the starter from header heat.

Are you using a Edelbrock carb??

[DoubleVision]

Fix your grounds. If the grounds aren`t up to snuff this is a common problem.
Make sure all the factory grounds are connected. If the ground from your battery is going to the alternator bracket, relocate it to the block.
My cutlass had heat start problems, the header rides on the starter. After I changed grounds to the block and reconnected the factory ones the problem was gone. I also noticed the headlights were brighter and the current gauge didn`t dance around anymore.

[Sinister]

Starter heat soak. I've had good luck running a remote solenoid to cure this problem.

[amature]

I have a quadrojet 750, and a aluminum intake I believe eldobrac? I know the wiring is good I just rewired the car, so I will try wrapping the starter. I currently do not have any heat shield installed on the starter and was not sure I would need one but it sounds like the most likely culpret.

I had a 71 chevelle years ago that had the same setup with the exception it had the cast iron intake I do not remember having any issues with it?

[DoubleVision]

You may also want to check the mechanical advance in the distributor and make sure it`s not stuck open or sticking.

[406 bug]

You may want to check the starter resistance against spec. If not up to snuff you may still have a prob. even with a shield, so you may need to change out the starter.

[opnacan]

make sure you have a plate between your carb and your intake. i had a the same problem and it was because of the heat from the intake. just something to try.

[1972]

I'll agree with Sinister, a remote starter solenoid should solve your slow cranking. From my experience the GM solenoid kinda sucks when you add headers.

[streetrodderbn]

quadrajet carbs have not been manufactured for years, they often leak from well plugs in the main body that were inserted after the initial machining process, the fix is simple, the baseplate needs to be removed and a gas resistant epoxy applied to the plugs to reseal them from leaking, the after-market rebuilders-carb shop,jet performance,ect... all epoxy these plugs to prevent the flooding and hard starting that the leaking plugs often cause after heat soak. This may be part of your problems IMHO

[wildthing]

i had that with my 68 cougar and it was the starter. i replaced that and have had no problems since.

[lg1969]

Amature, Check the choke on the carb. If you using electric choke on the carb it's most likely the choke flap is closing before the engine is cooling down. If you have a Q-jet, there may be a little spring between the choke flap and choke diaphragm. What it does it closes the choke flap the instant you shut the motor down. Then you try to start the engine and it will not start right away. Remove that spring and the choke will not close right away. I have this happen to me. Not all Q-jets uses the spring. Hope this will help you.

[BimmE]

Armature, I had the same problem 6 years ago on the 327. I had the car trucked home several times due to not starting after shut down. The problem showed up after the weather turned hot here in SoCal. I asked around and a company in Springville, l Calif was recommended to me. I bought his "Hot Start Fix" kit and have never looked back. In addition to installing a remote solenoid on the fender well, I also installed the new under hood wiring in the kit. -Jim

[ss396si]

I had that problem a month ago. I put in #2 wire w/ a remote solonoid and a 3/8 carb gasket. The car starts everytime!