Need some suggestions

[gipper]

I have a 1968 GMC stepside with a 350 engine and automatic transmission. Every once in a while, when I go to start it, it will not start. Acts like the battery is completely dead. No clicking no nothing! I wait a half hour or so and it will start right up. Seems to do it after I have driven it a bit. Did it twice last year and when I pulled it out of storage, drove it for an hour or so it did it again! Over the winter, I replace all the cables and the complete ignition system. I am baffled as to what it can be.

[68c10airstream]

Try going into neutral to see if it starts. If it does, worn or neutral safety switch needed, or at least adjusted. Gm hot restart issues stem from the way gm wired the solenoid. As it heats up resistance goes up, meaning less amps draw warm versus cold. The real long term fix it to get a new style nippondenso gear reduction starter made for the 350. It is wired the opposite way, as it heats up resistance lowers. Aftermarket people make an adapter plate to marry the starter to a plate to bolt it to the block. The other plus is you can index you solenoid wherever you want it, upside down, away from headers, etc. The nippondenso starter uses ball bearings to support the armature instead of bushings. Gm used to have a tech bulletin if the solenoid wouldn't pull in to use a weaker spring. I'm just trying to help, i hope i don't get comments on foreign/american issues. I just want something to work. By the way i was a dealer mechanic for 35 years, 2 years of auto schooling in late 70's, and specialized in electrical/drivability solving. Good luck

[VetteVet]

Try reading a few of these

........http://www.google.com/custom?domains...D%3A1%3B&hl=en

[68c10airstream]

yeh, that would be a low cost repair and i believe it would work well. Never heard of using the remote ford solenoid style on a gm before.

[BigRed76]

Sure sounds like the starter is getting weak after a heat soak from driving. I've seen it happen to starters a lot once they've become soaked in oil from oil leaks.
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[VetteVet]

In cases where the solenoid doesn't click the remote solenoid will usually fix the problem. The easiest way to check it is to jump he solenoid purple wire to the battery cable connection and if it starts the problem is the solenoid windings. It's possible that the connections to the S terminal are poor which would not allow full voltage to the solenoid. If it starts normally when cold then it's most likely the solenoid windings are heat soaked and have too much resistance to pull the plunger in to make the starter connections.

If the solenoid clicks strongly but the starter won't turn or turns slowly then the remote solenoid won't help. The starter windings are heat soaked or the power cables are not making good connections. Sometimes the battery cables look Ok but can be corroded under the insulation.