Hard Cranking When Hot

’72 440 HP
11-1 Compression
68 426 wedge heads shaved .020


The Issue: The engine fires with no problems at all when cold. Cranks like mad and starts right up.

When it gets hot or has been running for 10-15 minutes it is very hard to start. You may get ½ to 1 and ½ cranks on the engine and it does not turn. Cranks very hard when hot.

I just replaced the starter thinking it was taking major “heat sink” and may have had a dead spot in it when hot. This did not resolve the issue.

Have played with the timing a lot! Advancing and retarding the timing does not seem to help at all. (Was thinking it may be firing before TDC.) (Even removed the vacuum from the distributor to play safe.)

Posting this for any Ideas out there. I know someone has probably had this issue before.


Other notes on the issue:

The battery is trunk mounted. It is a 925CC battery. Welding cables have been used to supply the power to the front.