My New Toy!

[bkkstehlik]

Hello All,
Im a New Owner of this 1972 C20 454 Big Block. Its been garaged since 2008 so I had it freighted from Oregon to San Diego. I changed the oils, filters, plugs, wires, gas, cleaned carb, changed battery. Sounds and runs so nice!!
I drove it for a while racing it around enjoying the sounds of a 454 all the heads turning! Parked it in my driveway and went to turn it over again and it wouldnt start. Like I said brand new battery so I checked connections/ cables and all good. Radio works and electric fans work too. After a few hours I tried it again and it started right up. Im guessing Voltage Regulator? Any ideas

[BB72CHEVKT]

My guess is the starter was too hot. Does it have headers?

[bkkstehlik]

No headers on truck, I thought about starter but starter doesnt spine or click at all.

[DreamRyder1963]

Tap the starter solenoid and see what it does.

[bkkstehlik]

If it was the starter would it be intermittent? It seems to happen when its hot. Wouldnt the starter make a clicking noise or spin? It doesnt make any noise. Electric fans turn on so its getting juice.

[DreamRyder1963]

It may not be intermittent. Some starters just stop. I have had some that just have a flat spot in the solenoid and nothing happens when you turn the key.

[hugger6933]

Me 4 on the starter nice looker by the way. Congrats on the buy!

[acemang]

I had similar issue after installing a 472 motor. Changed regulator , worked.........but about a month later same problem. So most likely it was the starter all along because once I replaced it, the problem went away. Im guessing I had it in a dead spot. Oh well, new parts is never a bad thing for an old truck!

[Iron Hauler]

Sounds like a heat soak problem to me, they make a heat shield for starters and you don't have to be using headers to experience this.

[midnight rambler]

nice truck. you going to cruising grand ? hope to see it at escondido on april 4th.

[EdSevered]

I'm a newb, simply trying to be helpful, so if this is an idiotic observation, please keep the flames to minimum.

You didn't say what kind of carburetor. But isn't this also a symptom of there potentially needing to be a spacer, to dissipate heat, between the carb and the manifold? I have seen this discussed a number of times as I researched the Edelbrock 1406 that I recently installed.

Oh yeah, NICE ride!

-Ed

[bkkstehlik]

I do have a Edelbrock carb on it. Im headed home tonight to see if I can test the Starter and Regulator. It started right up last night.

[bkkstehlik]

midnight rambler whats going on April 4th in Escondido? Im located in Poway so just a 20 min drive.

[SCOTI]

BBC's are infamous for heat-soak related issues. Cooking the fuel in the line (vapor-lock) or cooking the starter. Once cooled off, things work normal.

Heat shielding for the fuel lines & starter are a common fix. Gear reduction starters are an option for improved starting leverage as is a remote starter solenoid that mounts away from the heat of the block & exhaust.

[bkkstehlik]

If I change the starter I will definitely spend the extra money to get a Gear reduction starter.
Its a new truck for me and Im learning about it every day, first week ive had it. I found a switch or button inside the engine compartment that will start the truck if the keys on. Looks like the past owner liked to play with motor alot so he installed a starting switch so he doesnt need someone to turn key. This might have something to do with it all as well. I will put an amp gauge to it tonight and start with that. Next is new starter and rewire the switch to regulator and get rid of this start up button in engine area. Never know what that switch is doing.

[Sean1985]

Also curious about April 4. I live in Carlsbad.