460 blues

hartprods · #1 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 01:23 PM

has anyone out there ever solved the 460 blues?
she starts fine when cold, drags badly when hot ( driven for a while ), battery good 800ca, new "stock" starter (took out high performance starter ), new ground strap between starter and frame, cleaned other grounds, wrapped both starter and solenoid with thermal wrap.
thoughts ? suggestions ?
thanks.
sh

davidk · #2 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 02:19 PM

The stock FFR battery cable is a bit small for the job. I think it was 4 gauge and I upgraded mine to 2 gauge. Particularly important if you are running from the stock mounting locations. I have a ground strap from one starter bolt to the frame, new battery, heavier than stock cable and my 302 still cranks slow when it is very hot. I suspect some of the cheaper (like mine) battery cutoffs may also contribute.

David

Joe Wicked · #3 (**permalink**) 11-13-2009, 03:41 PM

I posted the solution I did in your other thread, I had a 460 in a 79 F150 and had the exact problems you are describing. It wasn't the prettiest fix, but I made a dual heat shield that the 2 plates did not touch each other at all. They even mounted at different points. I also had a fan blowing air across them to help cool. The fan was a small 12V fan and it ran for 5 minutes after the truck was shut off. This helped to keep the starter cooler, and cool it down when shut off.

The battery cable size could also affect it as described though, especially with a trunk mounted battery. That is a long cable.

Tom Wells · #4 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 05:51 AM

sh,

You don't mention which transmission the car has. On the off-chance it has an automatic, look at the neutral safety start switch.

Mine gave me fits. I replaced it. It worked for three months and then same problem. After three switches, I bypassed it and never had another problem. If you do this, be extra careful to always start the car in park!

Tom

Larry Ruppert · #5 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 06:18 PM

years ago on my Z28 i installed a switch in the power supply to the ignition, without spark the engine cranked over easily flip the switch back and the engine would start with no effort. this worked great the car always started easily