after 23 years my C30 pickup is experimenting the famous starter hoat soak problem, Why? how can I remedy it without going to the hassle of installing a ford starter relay? why it didn't happen before?
thanks
Augusto.

I had this problem with the 402 in my 71 Chevy C30. I replaced the started with a mini starter 5 years ago and haven't had a problem since.

Replace the starter solenoid and both +/- battery cables.
They do not last forever. At a minimum, remove both battery cables and clean both ends, of each one. Any corrosion on either end of the cables will cause electrical resistance and slow cranking when you need the power the most (hot). This as routine but often overlooked normal engine maintainance. If the starter and battery are pooched replace them too. Check the initial base ignition timing. Remove the distributor cap and make sure the advance weights are not frozen. Common problem with old HEI's.
You can also install a simple ignition dissabler switch to cut the spark while cranking the motor over hot. Turn the key with the cut out switch off then throw the switch and it will fire right up. Makes a cool anti theft ignition disabler as well. (Great for cars with big long duration, rough idle cams that need lots of intial advance @ idle, to idle right) Ford cars have a automatic circuit in the factory spark box that retards the spark during starting, for easy cranking. Makes life much easier for the starter and allows for much more initial advance without starter strain. Why GM did not incorperate this simple crank retard function in the HEI module from the get go is anyones guess.
What distributor are u using?
Does the truck have headers?

I tend to buy a truck and keep it forever just keep putting in engines and transmissions.Every time I get a stater that wont turn when it is hot it has always been corrosion in the bushings that the armature turns in.Pull the starter and take off the rear cover and clean the bushing and grease it.Just a little molly grease will do the job.use a little steel wool on the armature to clean it up.If it is dirty and greasy at the starter head pull it off and clean and grease it too.You will be good to go for a few more years.I live in snow country so I do mine every time I notice it slow cranking the motor when it is hot.

thats a great tip. Going to try that, next time too.

Have you tried a heat shield or blanket. I had that problem with my C1500 last year, after intalling headers, put one on from Summit and haven't had a problem since.
Howard

saw in 4Wheel & off road mag, long ago, a tip about building a heat shield with a soup can, I still have the pic in my mind, I think I'm gonna make one.
I already cleaned, greased, changed brushes, rotated the contacts of the solenoid and reinstaled the motor, hasn't happened againg, but it usually does when I shut the engine at the gas station, then I'm in trouble, last time I had to ask for a garden hose to cool the starter motor down with water, then it started, the guys at the gas station where not that happy with the mess I made.
Augusto.

Next time it leaves you stranded just have someone tap on the end of the starter with a tire iron while you have the key turned.It will start.I had an old timer show me that trick when I was stranded at the parts store with a heat soaked starter.I was buying a headlight and did not have the money for a starter at that time.I just cleaned the starter bushings and was back on the road.

good advice, I'll try it, ( hope I won't have to )
does the soup can works? anybody ever tried?
Augusto

I'd give it a try. Chevy used a glorified soup can on some of the Corvettes, and some replacement starters come with a small sheet metal shield that clips onto the solenoid.

Search Google Images for "starter heat shield" for some ideas.

Use a bosch 30a mini relay. Wire it according to instuctions into the purple solenoid trigger wire and forget about it. Your wiring is old and now has higher resistance. I fitted one to my sbc HK Holden in 1979, I used the same relay on many cars and engines until '03 and it's never failed. It's in the shed now and will go on another project.
You could replace the trigger wire, but as the whole loom is 30yo that wire may not be the faulty one.