hey guys i have an 84 camaro with a 350 engine. im having an issue with my possible starter or battery. ill go and start my car runs fine, and drive around, shut it off, and it acts like its struggling to turn when refiring back up often making it hard to start. i dunno if its possiblly the starter or what. its a stock 350 engine, and already have the starter shield. any help or ideas?

 

what does it sound like when trying to fire? if it sounds really slow then the starter isnt getting enough amps to turn the motor.

 

Check all the connections (including the negative side) to make sure there is no corrosion preventing good contact.

However, if it's fine cold, but sluggish hot that's often the starter itself that's weak or it's being overheated by the exhaust (despite the heat shield). Or the initial timing could be too far advanced, "fighting" against the starter.

Gear reduction mini-starters can make a BIG difference in hot starting, FYI.

 

sumtimes it makeslike a grinding noise when trying to start... its been progressively gettin worseand dunno what else to do

 

what is your base timing set at ? advanced to far will give you probs on a hot restart

 

my base timing is set a 8* dunno what total timing is i gotta get a light

 

it cranks fine when cold, and bad when warm..right?? When your motor heats up...it heats up the starter....I think your getting "heat soak" in the starter....meaning your starter is getting hot and not working.....you probably need a new starter....that should fix the problem. the grinding sound is either your gears on your starter are worn out (which a new starter will fix), the flexplate teeth are worn out, or the starter is mis-aligned. (which new starter has shims to space it out if mis-aligned)....I would recommend a new starter.....almost bet ya money that's what it is.....starter heat soak...

 

ok got the starter tested it, its tested fine engages properly etc. i put a new selonoid on it cause my threads were getting bad for the connections. put it on started fine and got the whole charging system checked. the alt, starter are working properly, but my battery which is only 670 cold cranking amps and 700 regular is only putting out 476 cold crank amps. now would the battery be the problem even when its hott?

 

yeah...it can be the battery...but I still think it's heat soak....they can't test for heat soak in a starter (since it's cold when you test it), but Do try charging the battery up....or getting a new one....that might be it....also check your wiring and grounds....

 

all connections are tight, is a cheap walmart battery everlast brand thats 4+ years old... i have a heat shield for the starter but once it already got heat soaked means its bad?

 

no, it gets heat soaked every time, but as it wears..it makes it worse where it won't start...I had problems with mine getting heat soaked after about a year...I put a starter heat wrap on it and no more problems....but it might be battery too......

 

As the starter and its wiring gets hot it, resistance increases and it requires more current to turn over the motor. A weak spot in the system shows up as a slow turning, hot starter. Could be the starter, battery, cables or connections. Simplest to check first are the connections for power and ground. Are they good and tight with no signs of corrosion. If the cables look bad they can be replaced for about $8 each. Battery's next at $50-90. If you need to replace the starter, I'd upgrade to a newer style gear reduction starter that will be more efficient when heat soaked.

 

 

good ideas man! im gna check my wires to see how they are. the battery cables are tight and corrosion free. all terminals are tight. wires are ran away from headers and hot spot. after replacing the selinoid it starts up way better when cold. im deffinatly gna replce the battery. whats a good battery and cranking amps i should get?

 

550+ i would say

 

My dad had the same problem on an old truck with a sbc. He had 2 problems.
1: Ground was not connected well from the engine to the body.

2: Flywheel was bad. Warped.

Not saying these are you problems but just a suggestion to check out. Also Timing is important. Make sure its timed right.

 

ya im gna hopefully figure it out

 

i just noticed that when i turn my car key on its showing maybe 12 volts. when i turn the key it drops to almost 8 volts while trying to start. when it runs its above 14 volts. that normal?

 

that shows that the generator/Alternator is charging, thats good. the drop in volts during the starting is also nothing special.....but not from just turning the key to ignition (think u meen turning to start).

I for that fact also have starting problem but i think the croock in my case is the battery.

Good luck

 

how do i do the ford selonoid mod for my starter? anybody got a diagram?

 

TAKE THE SHIMS OUT???

 

http://www.maliburacing.com/starter_solenoid.html
here you go

 

i dont have shims in it.

 

have you checked the ignition voltidge at the starter?? i resentley discovered that my ignition switch was badley worn and that caused the starter not to work when hot, check the voltage or try to bypas with a lead when the problem accurse and see if that solves it.

(sorry if my spelling is not correct, not my language)

Best of Luck to you and your car