I have a new 350 in my car right now, along with a new Optima battery with about 800 CCA. My mechanic set my timing at 6*, and the cam tahts in it should be at 12*, but he said that it would have even more problems starting if it were set at 12* before the engine was broken in. I can start the car from a cold start, but after I run it and get it to operating temperature, I will shut the car off, and if I try to start it right away, it won't start. I usually have to wait untill the the car cools down, usually an hour, before it will start again. What can this be? Do I need a high torque starter? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Does the car crank after you turn it off when warm?

 

it tries to. Here's what I think is going on, the engine was built so damn tight that when it gets warm, everything expands, which is more than my stock starter can handle, thats why it starts after it cools down, and all the parts go back down to their normal sizes. I think a high torque starter will solve this. Does anyone else agree?

 

This phenomenon is refered to starter heat soak. What happens is that the starter will absorb heat from the exhaust manifold. In turn when temperature goes up, resistance goes up and now more amperage is required to turn the starter over, which your battery may not have. With my headers I fall vicitm to this everytime i drive to the gas station. The only way to avoid this is to buy a starter heat shield that absorbs ratiant heat from the manifold/header instead of it reaching the starter. Or wait ten minutes with your manual fan switch on while people sit behind you at the pump honking incessantly, lol. Hope that was some help. -Bob

 

Thanks for all your help guys. I bought and installed a high-torque starter, and it works like a charm.

 

I was going to say ignition module...least I didn't chime in faster. Kept you from at least considering wasting some money.