Does this sound like a dead starter and\or solenoid?

I just picked up my '89 IROC 305 TBI Auto from the shop after getting a new 305 TBI engine installed.

I drive my car for an hour or two, and the car will not start again until it cools down.

If you try to start it immediatly, there are no sounds coming from under the hood. But the lights, dash, radio and AC blower come on though.

If you wait an hour, you can hear the solenoid clicking a little.

If you wait and hour and half, you can hear the solenoid clicking alot.

If you wait 2 hours, the car starts right up.

The whole time, the voltage gauge reads good (11 Volts).

I am thinking it is the starter seizing up as there is no neutral safety switch or other factors that I can think of that would cause this. Maybe a combination of bad starter, solenoid and battery cables?

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Andy

 

Sounds like it. The starter on my T/A did something very much like that. The problem with Chevy starters is that the solenoid is mounted on the motor itself, tucked in between the engine block and the headers. This means all of those electrical components are subject to lots of heat. If you have headers, this will only make the situation worse. I don't know if putting in a 'racing' type mini starter would be worth the expense, but I have heard of people using Ford remote solenoids as a cheap fix.

Starters aren't expensive, but they're a PITA to install (at least in the driveway) I had a garage do mine for $100 (P&L)