I need help with my '83 bird. When ever I drive it and warm it up to operating temperature for 15+ minutes, then shut off the engine, it wont start again for a long time. The starter drags and the motor barely turns over at all. The car does have headman headers wich clear the starter by 2-3". This is all the trouble shooting I have done so far:

1. Did the "Ford" starter selonoid conversion to the starter and installed all new 4ga. battery cables on the positive side, no improvement.
2. Built a heat shield for the starter, no improvement.
3. Bought a brand new AC Delco starter, no improvement. (actually a little worse)
4. Bought a new 925 cca battery, veary little improvement.
5. Installed new neg. battery cable, no improvement.
6. With the ignition off I jumpered the "Ford" starter selonoid and the engine still cranked the same, so it couldent be the ignition switch wireing or ignition timing.

I just dont get it. The car has a 1968 corvette 327 engine, so there has to be some good compression (I dont know for shure 8.5:1 - 9:1 I'm tired.) I'm thinking starter shims next, although the starter gear has no problems enguaging the flywheel... maybe its binding???? I'm out of ideas at this point, I spent way to much $$ today tring to fix this problem.... HELP !!! Please !!!

Thanx in advance,
Andrew

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1983 Firebird
327 bored .030
4-speed manual
Edelbrock 600cfm carb.
Edelbrock Performer intake / cam.
Pete Jackson gear drive.
MSD 6a ignition
yackety, smackety, blah, blah.

 

Your base timing is set too high. When things get hot after running, tolerances close up in the engine and the starter has a harder time doing its job. Check your base timing, it's probably too far advanced.
Hope this helps


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Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI
Edelbrock Hi-Flow Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake
1 5/8" Headers
Semi-Siamesed Runners
MSD6AL/relocated MAT/ AdjFPR/IROC frnt@rear swaybar/wonderbar/steeringbox/alum drvshaft/ Alston SFC/3:23posi disc rear/MAC LCA/H.Adams Panhard Rod/KYB struts/ shocks/
92Z28convt5spd
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!

 

I had the same problem for years with the little weenie joke of a starter that they put on these cars, especially after I put a 400 in the car. I went through I don't know how many batteries and starters trying to overcome the same situation. Finally I broke down and bought a CVR mini-starter. I can't believe the difference! This thing starts like a normal car now. Every time, hot or cold, it spins over at least twice as fast as the stock one ever spun the 305.

It's not cheap, but you won't regret it. Get that stupid Delco crap off there.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports