Warm start problem

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Trucklady69

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My 77 K10 with 400 6.6li 4br edelbrock carb, headers and 138,000 miles. Recent things done: alternator rebuilt, wires/plugs, exhaust from headers back. Having a warm start situation. Cold start fires right up. When it is warmed up and I go to a store, or wherever and try and start it, it feels like some sort of a vacuum issue, maybe distributor?

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bucket

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Sounds to me like a slightly weak starter, or maybe just not enough throttle opening while cranking.
 

Frankenchevy

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Starter does sound weak/slow. Did you check battery charge when the truck is off with a meter? Maybe the alternator rebuild didn’t go to plan and the battery is getting progressively weaker.
 

Trucklady69

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yes, i have a meter, alternator was rebuilt by a chevy guru! battery new also.
 

Frankenchevy

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alternator was rebuilt by a chevy guru!
Everyone makes mistakes now and then. You can have the alternator tested. You can also try to jump it using a good charger or new battery. Speaking of which, what do the battery cables look like? How old is the starter?

Wouldn’t hurt to rule out timing if you’d like. I’ve read high base timing can cause hard starts. Start it, let it get up to temp(low idle, choke blade wide open), disconnect vacuum advance and check base timing.
 

1979k10

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Check voltage drop to the starter solenoid.
Check ground cables and connections.
 

gotyourgoat

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Don't think I'd add anything that hasn't already been said without an update on batt/alt charge except it sounds good. :burnout:
 

78C10BigTen

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Im thinking weak battery or starter and also off timing. Sounds like the belts are loose too
 

Trucklady69

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thanks everyone! belt isn't loose, not sure why it's squealing, driving me nuts! wiring issue is definitely a great possibility (the wiring is very "creative"), weak starter and heat soak also seem very realistic. battery cables are good, alt good, age of starter is unknown! i have some work ahead of me, thanks for giving me some good direction. hopefully i have the time to figure this out in the next month and will post a new video :party36:
 

Dave 84

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How hot is it were you live and how long has this problem been happening?
 

Trucklady69

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I live in Massachusetts, so July is usually 90s and humid. Been much cooler this month. It has been having the issue since last year at least, definitely since before the alternator rebuild. (my concept of time is terrible) I think it is getting worse.
 

Dave 84

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Starters are cheap and if your timing is right it will at least crank faster!
 

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