Help please!

[Shane22696]

Hey guys, I'm new around here and really need your help. I have an 84 K20 that we just put a rebuilt 305 in. We put headers on it and they're getting the starter hot after running too the point that it won't crank for about an hour after even a short trip. I know that can probably be fixed with a heat shield, but the big problem I'm having, which doesn't make sense, is that once it gets hot I can get it running with a jump box. But when I get it cranked up, it idles about 2000 rpms and all you can smell is gasoline. The only way to get it running right is to let it sit for a few hours. I'm not sure how they could be related, or if they even are, but I'm out of ideas. It has a rebuilt Q-jet.

[donut]

Did you miss, or maybe you need, a heat insulator under the carb?
Vapor system (or vents) messed up or missing?

[thesickc10]

Originally Posted by donut

Did you miss, or maybe you need, a heat insulator under the carb?
Vapor system (or vents) messed up or missing?

are you thinking hes getting vaper lock?

[jhngardner367]

I would re-check the float level/float condition,as well.I put a new float in mine,and had the same fuel smell/hard starting....found out the float was getting fuel soaked.
Replaced it,with a new one,(replaced free),and it cured it.
As for the starter,I would DEFINITELY put a heat shield on it!! It doesn't take much heat to kill a starter!

[bilfman]

Waaaay back in my giver 1/4 mile horsepower days many of us had this same problem. That said I don't believe your problems are related. Back then it was quite common for GM solenoid to s hit the bed with header heat. Our fix was pretty simple, we would install a remote solenoid, such as a *GASP* Ford. Mount it pretty much anywhere under the hood and presto, hot starter problems were gone. The heat effects the solenoid not the starter. You do have to make a little metal tab to connect the 2 posts on the GM starter. This is basically a hardwired starter using an external solenoid.

[Shane22696]

Thanks alot guys. I'm going to stick my edelbrock on it tomorrow so I can drive it while I get the Qjet straightened out. Bilfman, could you give me some more info on putting a ford solenoid on there? I've got a couple sitting around.

[Dsquared]

Originally Posted by bilfman

Waaaay back in my giver 1/4 mile horsepower days many of us had this same problem. That said I don't believe your problems are related. Back then it was quite common for GM solenoid to s hit the bed with header heat. Our fix was pretty simple, we would install a remote solenoid, such as a *GASP* Ford. Mount it pretty much anywhere under the hood and presto, hot starter problems were gone. The heat effects the solenoid not the starter. You do have to make a little metal tab to connect the 2 posts on the GM starter. This is basically a hardwired starter using an external solenoid.

that was the only thing ford got right. lol

[donut]

Originally Posted by thesickc10

are you thinking hes getting vaper lock?

My '73 ran into a similar issue (my carb would actually get quite warm to the touch)
Floats in order, if the carb gets to hot, it can push fuel into the carb. It acted like it was flooded (and was) when warm, you could see fuel dripping through the boosters(?). Flip side, my tank wasn't vented properly. As the outside temp warmed up it would slowly pressurize the tank.
I disconnected the fuel line to pull the carb, went to the store, returned an hour later to find fuel coming out of the disconnected line. Pulled of the gas cap and it stopped. (whoosh when the cap was removed.)

1/4" phenolic spacer cured the carb and a new vent on the tank cured that.
Not saying that's the problem, but all it costs to check is time.

[Shane22696]

Thanks for the help guys. Today I swapped out the Carb for an Edelbrock and installed a remote solenoid like bilfman suggested and now everything is great. Can't thank you guys enough