1971 350 Help!

[Milty67_71]

Hi guys'
I bought a '71 C10 a month ago and it ran great. I had to install a new set of headers and it fired up after I got them on. Then I went out to start it the next day and I lost all power, no lights, no anything. I took it to a mechanic ( out of my skill range ) and he said I had a bad draw off the ignition and bypassed it with a push button start, which I dislike. But now it will start run for a few minutes then shut off, and won't start until it has cooled down. I don't know what it could be. Any idea's?
Thanks!
-drew

[Clutch442]

Does it have an HEI distributor in it? If so my first stop would be the ignition module.

[Autoblueprint]

Originally Posted by Milty67_71

Hi guys'
I bought a '71 C10 a month ago and it ran great. I had to install a new set of headers and it fired up after I got them on. Then I went out to start it the next day and I lost all power, no lights, no anything. I took it to a mechanic ( out of my skill range ) and he said I had a bad draw off the ignition and bypassed it with a push button start, which I dislike. But now it will start run for a few minutes then shut off, and won't start until it has cooled down. I don't know what it could be. Any idea's?
Thanks!
-drew

My first thought is that the heat from the headers is making the starter motor too hot. Can you post some pics of the headers installed in your truck? Pics help a lot on this board when trying to help someone solve a problem.

[drivingslow]

Originally Posted by Autoblueprint

My first thought is that the heat from the headers is making the starter motor too hot. Can you post some pics of the headers installed in your truck? Pics help a lot on this board when trying to help someone solve a problem.

Yes, well said, my thought as well...

But I once remember putting headers on a 70, years ago, and we silly amateurs (at the time) did not realize the positive cable off the battery was simply too close to the new header. It also had too much free play, and would occasionally touch the header - shutting down the engine. A silly mistake, but sometimes it can be overlooked, as you think it isn't touching the header looking down from standing outside the fender. And when it cooled it would work fine again. Any wire, I believe, even a radio connect burning on the header, could cause a problem.

Sometimes it can be the most simple...

[Milty67_71]

Thanks for the quick response! I am trying to get pictures up. My computer is just worthless. I will keeping trying!

[Milty67_71]

Originally Posted by drivingslow

Yes, well said, my thought as well...

But I once remember putting headers on a 70, years ago, and we silly amateurs (at the time) did not realize the positive cable off the battery was simply too close to the new header. It also had too much free play, and would occasionally touch the header - shutting down the engine. A silly mistake, but sometimes it can be overlooked, as you think it isn't touching the header looking down from standing outside the fender. And when it cooled it would work fine again. Any wire, I believe, even a radio connect burning on the header, could cause a problem.

Sometimes it can be the most simple...

I had thought of that as well. However the truck had headers before I bought it, just had a hole in them. I will check it over once again though! Thanks!