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Something else that will slow down a starter is an overly advanced ignition system.

There is a reason that you have an initial setting, a vacuum advance that comes in immediately, and a mechanical system that works as the engine revs up to a speed that more matches the speed of the burning gas.

So if either advance system is stuck (or the initial is too much) the easy to fire warm fuel mixture is burning and pushing against the pistons as they come up instead of waiting until they are near TDC and slowing down the starter.

An easy way to check this is when it's hot and turning slowly, pull the coil wire off the distributor and see if it cranks at normal speed.

Quote:

That's a very good thought. It never occurred to me to test for timing that is too far advanced in that way. Good one!

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I'm going to speak to my mechanics about each of these diagnostics. I'll post the results and hopefully, the fix.

bl, you say the starter turns over slowly when hot. I presume that means more slowly than when cold. If its both slow and kind of herky-jerky, that's a classic symptom of advanced ignition timing. So if that's the symptom, though other causes are certainly possible, it's the one I'd check first and it's also about the easiest fix - just slap a timing light on and see where the timing is.

Hi Ramon

Ground! Good, heavy, grounds! Good, clean, tight bare metal-to metal grounds! Frequently when your problem arises in an old car, turns out the ground cable has been replaced with a new one of inadequate gauge to do the job.

It's the inexpensive fix to try first before you move onto more costly ones. I've seen it take care of the problem multiple times. Hope this is the cure!

Steve

Hi I have a 52 with hot start problems too ,Ive got correct cables ,Have a new 6v battery ,checked the timing ,put a heat shield around the carb and fuel line,rebuilt starter ,

I know the battery isnt enouh cch ,cuz one cant get the specified 1100 cch battery unless you go to a group 3 which would require alteration of the battery holder (im planning this)
Am interested in your high torque coil replacement for the starter ,do you have starters rebuilt on hand with this mod or do you take them in rebuild them and return?

Steve,
I'm assuming you are directing your post to me on the high torque coils. Sorry, but I do not carry starters in stock ready to go with the high torque coils installed. I would need you to send yours in for repair. Feel free to contact me with any otherquestions or concerns. I sometimes don't get back to this forum very often, so you can email me directly @ jason@aerrebuild.com
Thanks,
Jason,
Advanced Electrical Rebuilders
www.aerrebuild.com

after replacing the cables for the right gage,replacing the the battery ,rebuilding the starter ,generator ,shielding the carband fuel lines ,shielding the gas tank from the exhaust pipe,adjusting the timing to 6 degrees btdc , and still having hot start problems...
I had a treat today, and after using some new upgraded spark plug and coil wires (accel street avenger)wow I picked up 2 cylinders and have a nice brisk start !

Good to hear of a success! Keep at it.