Difficult starting with hot engine

[jhkaster]

I just wanted to share with y'all a problem that I was able to correct on my 1980 Lincoln Versailles with 302. When the engine was cold, she would start right up. But after no more than 20 minutes of driving, if turn the engine off, I had to wait for the car to cool down before it would start again. It would barely crank. I seemed to have no other problem with the car other than a clanking sound (thought it was coming from the carb) under moderate acceleration only.

Well, I replaced the starter. That had no impact.

I read on other boards that suggested shielding the starter with an insulating wrap to dissipate the radiant heat.

It turns out that when my mechanic adjusted the timing during the last tune-up, he adjusted the timing into the ATDC range. The specs called for 6 degrees BTDC. So, this week, I adjusted the timing to specs. And, guess what, the car starts fine with the engine cold or hot. And, that clanking noise under moderate acceleration stopped. The car seems smoother and quieter too.

I'm thrilled at the simple solution and amazed what happens when you follow factory specifications. I'm driving the Versailles this weekend to a club meet for lunch. I look forward to this drive.

---James

[Jeff Roblin]

Thanks for sharing your story. It is often these simple problems that cause us the most frustration.

[hipogranada]

Great reminder, James. They have this tendency to want to sort of run backwards when the timing's too fast.

[stephen]

well i know this a really late post but i had this same problem (except i run edelbrock) and the heat would transfer from intake to carb and boil/evap all the fuel out of the float bowl and cause hard starting. i fixed with a Moroso brand phenolic carb spacer you can buy at NAPA for less than 35 bucks. it stops heat transfer