Hard to start

[1969 k/10]

I have a 1969 K/10 with a 350. When the truck is could it starts right up with one hit. I'll let her warm up and go a few miles. After letting it sit for a few minutes and i try to start it, it struggles. It starts better when it's cold. Any ideas?

[tim21391]

i had a problem like this on my dads 67 mustang.. the electric choke was sticking shut

[tim21391]

havent fixed the problem yet..i just zip tied the choke open so whenever i wanna drive it i just gotta hold the gas til shes warm..haha

[1969 k/10]

it has a manual choke

[tim21391]

oh.. im not sure.. im just a 17 year old kid.. i dont know very much about engines unless the problem has happened to me

[tim21391]

sorry i couldnt help

[1969 k/10]

It's ok i'm the idiot that said fowled plugs haha

[hensonjd]

do you think that your starter couldbe gettinghot while it is running.

[tim21391]

whats wrong with saying that?

[1969 k/10]

Originally Posted by hensonjd

do you think that your starter couldbe gettinghot while it is running.

Thats ironic that you say that because my starter have out yesterday in a Safeway parking lot. It now has a brand new one in it and still does it; but maybe.

[1969 k/10]

Originally Posted by tim21391

whats wrong with saying that?

Fowl is like chickens. Fouled is what plugs are.

[Wootdog]

If you run headers on the truck, they go right near the starter solenoid. When it is cold it will start right up. Once the engine gets warm, the starter solenoid would be getting cooked for lack of a better word. You can go to the local auto parts store and for around five bucks buy a cover for the solenoid. Look in the Help section. If they don't have it they can order it for you. There should be a catalog there with the part number. You put the cover over the solenoid and it will deflect the heat. I have had this problem with all my cars and trucks that have headers and a Chevy V8.
Kerry

[Sinister]

If it's the starter solenoid getting too hot, I've had good luck with wiring in a remote Ford style solenoid.

[leddzepp]

If you got the $$$, a high-torque mini starter is the way to go.

1. weighs 8 lbs vs. 30 lbs.
2. header clearance
3. no heat related issues
4. sounds sweeet when it cranks!

[1969 k/10]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

If you got the $$$, a high-torque mini starter is the way to go.

1. weighs 8 lbs vs. 30 lbs.
2. header clearance
3. no heat related issues
4. sounds sweeet when it cranks!

Thats the one i already have, the gear reduction one. For some reason the standard Chevy one wouldn't fit.

[1969 k/10]

Originally Posted by Wootdog

If you run headers on the truck, they go right near the starter solenoid. When it is cold it will start right up. Once the engine gets warm, the starter solenoid would be getting cooked for lack of a better word. You can go to the local auto parts store and for around five bucks buy a cover for the solenoid. Look in the Help section. If they don't have it they can order it for you. There should be a catalog there with the part number. You put the cover over the solenoid and it will deflect the heat. I have had this problem with all my cars and trucks that have headers and a Chevy V8.
Kerry

I do run headers on the truck. Even with the gear reduction starter could this still happen?

[kcjones]

Originally Posted by 1969 k/10

I have a 1969 K/10 with a 350. When the truck is could it starts right up with one hit. I'll let her warm up and go a few miles. After letting it sit for a few minutes and i try to start it, it struggles. It starts better when it's cold. Any ideas?

You say it starts better cold....meaning it cranks better cold? Just so we're tracking the right problem here - you do mean there's an issue with cranking, right? Otherwise, if cranking is good but it won't light when it's warm, different set of possible problems.

[WorkinLonghorn]

If it is a cranking problem, then on my '69 350 It means my timing is a tad too far advanced. If I retard it a couple degrees it cranks and starts real easy when hot.

[cdowns]

easiest and cheapest first step would be to pull clean and gap the sparkplugs

[ChevLoRay]

...and if cleaning/gapping the plugs doesn't fix it, and since you said it has headers, then I'm gonna say (to reiterate someone else) that you will do a lot better if you install the heat shield on the solenoid. Granted, you could just install a Ford solenoid, but it would be easier to put the shield on the sol. When I changed carburetors on my engine, the new one (an Edelbrock Q-Jet) was so much leaner than the old AFB-type Edelbrock,that my truck was hard to start when it was warmed up. Installing the shield did the trick. It has NEVER failed to start since then. They're cheap and your labor is free. Just do it.

[1970 chev truck]

Originally Posted by Sinister

If it's the starter solenoid getting too hot, I've had good luck with wiring in a remote Ford style solenoid.

i did this on my truck, its a lot easier, and if you ever have to remove the starter all you have to do is unbolt one wire from the solenoid and drop the starter rather than messing with all those little wires

[texanidiot25]

I put head shields on teh starter and solenoid on my truck. The Heddman headers were just too close. Just cut them out of aluminum sheets, bent tabs over on each side, and used hose clamps to attach it to the starter and solenoid. No problems yet besides a carb running stupid rich sometimes.

[1969 k/10]

Thank you for the input. It cranks fine, it just has a hard time starting.

[tractor1963]

Check your timing,it could be advanced too far.

[1969 k/10]

Originally Posted by tractor1963

Check your timing,it could be advanced too far.

It's at 8 degrees.