car does not want to crank over

[mustang_gt88]

Last night the car leave me stranded, was ok cause i just stayed longer at the reunion. When car is cool it fires right up, and when the car heats up it does not want to crank. I decided to change the starter this morning and all was well. Took the car for a long drive and it did it again. Early this year it did it a couple of times but only on the hot days. Any thoughts?

[redfirepearlgt]

I will assume that it is an 88 model vehicle. When hot, Does it try to turn over? Does the engine rotate slowly or does it not rotate at all? Does it only click when the key is turned to the start position? Does it start every time after it cools down on it's own or does it require a jump start? Will jump starting it while hot help allow it to start? Does it have an aftermarket tune in it? If so have you tried starting it on the factory tune while its hot to see if it starts that way (obviously don't drive it on that tune if havily modified)? Any CEL's? Some details on the problem would be beneficial to narrowing it down.

[mustang_gt88]

Its an 82 with a 91 motor, msd al6 box, it cranks really slow and hard. It will start but the start sounds like a 350 chevy start that grindes. Once it has cooled down it fires up just fine.

[Blowpastyou]

How close are the headers to the starter? One of my old cars had the same issue, it had 1 3/4 Mac long tubes. I heat wrapped the starter and the problem went away.

[mustang_gt88]

shorty headers but starter is 1/2" to 1" away

[mustangjon]

Sounds like heat soak as previously stated but odd a new starter doing same so fast. Can u take some timing out or lock it out to base timing the msd might be messing with timing also

[mustang_gt88]

I did back the timing off alttle and it seemed to help some

[redfirepearlgt]

Try as well to bypass the MSD box. Electronics will act weird when they get hot. THey can get real goofy and then when they cool down they are fine. Some other racers on here have had issues with MSD boxes. My luck was always good with them but that goes back may years. Have not used them in recent years.

Also as Jon stated go back a few more on the base timing as well. I've been the victim of too much timing myself in the past causing a simlar issue. The laboring has me thinking as well that it is timing or even possibly some form of vapor lock. Running a big fat mechanical feul pump by chance ot have the fuel pressure regulator cranked up higher than normal? While this is more common in carb'd apps in the days of old, it will and can happen on Fuel injected cars as well. Good luck.

[mustang_gt88]

I have an electric fuel pump, the msd box is mounted in the car on the firewall were the heater core used to be. I guess the headers could also be heating up the fire wall were the box is. I do not have a fuel reg on the car.

[jktruckin06]

My setup has the same problem. I got a 93 Costa solenoid starter and wrapped it with thermotec. Haven't tried it yet though.

[mustangrfast88]

sounds like a heat soak issue or to much timing

[mustang_gt88]

So i reset the timing but does the same thing, it even sounds like it is kicking out but not engaging, the msd box is warm to the touch and the starter is hot. i think that i will try the starter wrap

[mustang_gt88]

I just ordered insulation wrap from summit

[jktruckin06]

If I can find them I'll bring you up some stainless straps to keep the wrap on

[mustang_gt88]

that would rock

[jktruckin06]

Yessir... did you get summit brand or spring for thermotec

[mustang_gt88]

summit im a cheap sob, lol

[jktruckin06]

Ahhh, I'm sure it does the same

[mustang_gt88]

So I did some heat wrapping and thought all would be done. Tried to start the car and the starter stuck but not engaging the flywheel. Had to remove bat cable to get it to stop. Pulled the starter and it was stuck in the spacer. The teeth on the starter are jacketed up. Flywheel looks ok thank god. Looks like the autozone starter let me down.

[mustang_gt88]

So I did some research and measuring and they sold me a 3/8 " offset starter that is used for 3 and 4 speeds, i need the 3/4" offset starter. Shit happens, just hope they trade it out for another one