Please check my thinking...

[dcombs]

Hi Guys,

OK, so twice now I've taken my truck about 5 miles to Lowes. Truck started and ran great. Went into the store, did my shopping, and came out and couldn't start the truck. I just got that wree wree wree sound. I look under the hood, everything's fine. After various attempts and fear of flooding it, I'd walk away for 15 minutes. Come back, same sound. I ask a stranger for a jump and jump the truck. It fires right up. I get home and the check everything , everything good(and brand new) - Battery, voltage regulator, starter solenoid, cables, etc.

So, i'm thinking it's the starter. It works great when the engine is cold. Once the engine is really warmed up (like today after riding for a few miles and it was in the 80's) there must be something wrong within it that's not letting it do it's job. And when I jump it, it's getting enough juice to push through and fire up.

Thoughts? If I am right, where should I buy a starter, what kind should I buy, which one do I need, etc? It's a 223 engine.

Thanks,
Danny

[cooter]

starter windings can have problems when the starter is hot and work fine when cold. Do you have a good rebuild shop in your area? I would have someone rebuild the starter before i bought one.

[wheels]

I have to agree I had that problem years ago with a 64 six. I was told something about them shorting out not sure it has been 30 years. I do know when it was hot it took 24 volts to start. I agree with finding a rebuild shop you will get that personnal attention witch usually means better quality.

[Rusty 63]

If you have headers on it, try wrapping the header or starter in that insulating wrap. Might solve the heat soak problem w/o turning a wrench...

[Hunter's 64]

http://www.alternatorstarterexchange.com/

If they are close I would call comebody like this.


Danny

[BarnieTrk]

Yep, your starter is toast.
Get yours rebuilt or get a rebuilt starter from NAPA that has a warranty. Price it both ways and decide.

After cooking 2 starters in four years, I made a heat shield for my starter to protect it from the header heat. I made a template from cereal box cardboard then transferred it to some light sheet metal that I had, a short section of 6" round heating duct tin. I bent a couple tabs down to keep the shield ~3/8" off the starter to allow cool air flow between the shield and the starter. Two tabs were drilled to attach with the starter between the starter and bellhousing. Be careful to give ample clearance around the live battery cable connection so as not to short out the cable on the shield. It worked for me!

BarnieTrk

[longcabjohn]

Find someone with a starter draw gauge, you just hold it over the cable while cranking and it will the amp the starter is pulling. I have one but I am about sixty miles from you


Johnny

[bobenhotep]

The exhaust is on the other side from the starter on a 223. I would say it is toast. Some say that you can sand down the brushes on the starter motor (to get a better connection), and you can get some more years out of it, but I have never tried that.

[Gritsngumbo]

If you don't have a good generator/starter rebuild shop nearby, I would go with NAPA. When I replaced mine, the local store actually had one on the shelf.

[bobenhotep]

Yeah, napa it and forget about it, if you have the money.

[dcombs]

Thanks, guys! I appreciate you getting back to me. I'm glad to know I was thinking about it the right way. I'll give NAPA a call and go from there.

Danny (Hunters 64), Thanks for the link! I didn't know they were in town. I may give them a call too.

Thanks again,
Danny

[dcombs]

I got the new starter in today and the truck starts better than it ever has before. Thanks again for all you guys help. I think i'm going to take your advice too and build a heat shield.

Kindly,
Danny