I know this is one of those problems where its hard to diagnose but I think I know the cause. I just need some confirmation or ideas to look elsewhere (even though there really isn't much on an sbc)

The situation:
I'll start the car (first crank it'll start) and after a minute I'll drive where I'm going. The car is up to temp and I park. I come back a few minutes later and it takes quite a few tries on the starter before the car turns over.

Initial timing is at 10*
idle's at 800-850

Would an overly rich setting on my carburetor make it difficult to restart when the car is warmed? I've read that the car richens as it comes up to operating temp and its already stinky rich when its cold. I know I need to lean it out more but do you guys think that starting issue will go away with the leaning?

Thanks all

 

if you're saying what I think you're saying, the starter could just be suffering from heat soak. Look into a heat shield or a high performance starter or something.

 

Forget about the carb- it's not the problem.

THere are 2 different "hot start" problems on GM cars.

1. No click, no crank. This is easily fixed with a "hot start" available for about $30 for many places. It solves problems related to the SOLENOID not getting enough juice to work when it gets hot.

2. Click but slow or no crank. No easy fix here. You can try heat shields and such buy you'll probably get very little improvement. The real fix here is a stronger starter- a high torque gear reduction mini starter is usually the best way to go (and sheds a few pounds). The problem is that the windings in the motor get less efficient as temp rises and you reach a point where it just no longer has the Wheaties to get the job done any more. This is VERY common on cars with tubular headers installed.

Please note that starters can get "weak" over time. You might try just another stock replacement starter before you shell out big bucks for a mini starter. If you keep it clean and don't ding it up during install you can return it if it doesn't work any better than your original one.

 

You need to clarify: A. does the starter turn the motor and engine doesn't start? Or B. does the starter not turn the engine at all.

If it is B, then the above 2 posts are right. If it's A, then you could have fuel percolating in the bowl. Causes/fixes for that: put a heat shield under carb. Make sure fuel line isn't too close to heat source, especially headers. Bend, reroute, protect as necessary. Also, check float level.

If it just started to happen, it could be the gas itself. There are different formulations for summer and winter. The winter gas evaporates easier. If they are starting to change it in your area, and the weather has been warm, that could cause starting problems.

 

hmm I should have been clearer in my original message. The starter cranks fine. The car just takes a few tries before it will turn over.

The starter doesn't seem to get too hot. I have a hitachi style starter with shorty headers. The pipes don't get too close by it really (compared to stock manifolds at least)

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Mine does the same thing except I can drive it 10 miles and it won't crank after I park it. I'll try to crank it and the battery guage goes ploop showing the battery is dead and after 10 or 15 minutes it will crank. i just put a new starter on it and the battery is over half charged. Any suggestions???

 

Yours sounds like the problem the first guys thought I was describing. I'm also curious about the voltage you're getting when you're driving. I'm pretty sure the average car runs at 13-14 volts when the car is on. Your voltage should also be 12volts before you go to start it if the alternator and battery are still good.

I'm guessing you're saying that even with the new starter, the problem still occurs. It sounds to me like the starter is getting too hot. That is a common problem on our Camaros unfortuneately. There are heat shields/blankets available for your starter so it is fixable

nice car btw

 

well, I got a new battery and it solved the problem. It turned out that my battery was not putting out enough amps to turn over my motor. Think that could be your problem?

 

Nah my starter, battery and alternator are pretty much brand new. My car only has a couple hundred miles on the new engine. It cranks just fine

I think my problems are coming from faulty timing. I'm thinking its user error

The dyno results from yesterday showed my fuel ratio is good so I think its timing. I also forgot to check on float levels but they should be set well from the factory (i have a Demon).