Starter "stalling" when engine is hot

[knightrider84]

Hey Guys,
  1976 K20 with 350 ci
     I have new starter from Autozone, standard size i guess. and when the engine is hot the starter "stalls" for lack of a better term, like the battery is about to die. this only happens when the engine is hot. 
    I took it to a local shop and the guys said it was my neg batt cable and changed it out, that didn't work.
Any thoughts?

[big_al273]

faulty starter? is your battery good/fully charged? on a new part install i'd double check connections are good then suspect the new part unless the issue was present before the new part was installed

[knightrider84]

And I forgot to mention, this problem is WHY i have a new starter, it was doing this before, i assumed it was the starts taking a crap and bought a new one.
   The Battery and charging system work good.

[VileZambonie]

Your battery negative cable is connected to a clean engine ground? The positive cable is clean and tight? Do you have a volt meter? Have you checked your ignition timing?

[Thundergrunt]

I’m running headers and had the same problem. The starter solenoid does not enough power to overcome the heat. I installed a remote solenoid that’s installed in the engine compartment that engages the existing one. Problem solved.

[Thundergrunt]

Here’s info link. Oldengine.org/unfaq/solenoid.htm.

[Irish_Alley]

what does the solenoid have to do with the starting power of the starter? the solenoid does two things one it kick the bendix gear out to engage the flywheel and the other is it makes the connection between the two main hot wires on the back of the starter to engage the starter motor. like vile said it could be a bad connection or timing is too far advanced.

what is your timing set at? how new is this issue?

[blazer74]

If I recall there are or were high and low torque starters.
If there is a long spacer installed between  the solenoid and where the terminal comes out of the starter it’s high torque. If the terminal is closer to the solenoid it’s low torque.


No telling what you have.