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Having a strange issue on my '67 with 352. Every once in a while when going to start (usually when hot) it will not turn over. The starter will engage and turn like 1/8 turn and then stop. Only way to get it to get going it so keep tapping the key to start and eventually the starter will act fine and fire right up. Never had it happen cold.
If you hold the key in the on position after the 1/8 turn it heats the cables up HOT. The main battery ground burned off all the coating when troubleshooting.
So far I've replaced the starter solenoid on the fender and bypassed the nuetral safety switch. Thinking it's probably the starter but figured I'd check with you all first prior to pulling it.
It's your starter trying hard to turn over a recalcitrant engine that melted the wires.
Either your timing is too advanced (is this after the new distributor?), or your wires were deteriorating already, or your starter is.
Of course the heat issue comes up with exhaust too, which has even more of an effect on an older starter than a new one, but I'd look at timing first because your starter was obviously straining it's guts out to try to turn the motor over at it's normal speed.
And this also showcases the need sometimes for larger battery cables. Not that you can completely stop them from melting under just the wrong circumstances, but the more leeway you build into the system for such an occasion, the better.
This way if it ever happens that you need to keep trying to crank a hot motor and the starter has to strain, the cables will stand a longer fighting chance.
What gauge were these and how old were they?
Just curious, more for the data banks than for any particular help with your current (pun intended) issue.
I think the first thing I would do is change all the battery cables and see if this resolves the problem. It is very likely the starter is on its way out.
If the battery cables are bad(rotten inside), it will not pass enough current to start easily. The high resistance of the bad cable will get HOT and only make things worse. Like mentioned, get new cables(quality ones) and then, if it doesn't crank well, get a new starter.
Below is the picture of the wire that was smoking. It appears to be the only ground running from the engine and it goes from the engine to the firewall. Is there any other ground that should be present? The negative battery cable runs from the battery to the front core support and its very crispy.
You are supposed to have the large negative cable going to the engine first, then from the engine to the body and frame. You can never have enough grounds.
You are supposed to have the large negative cable going to the engine first, then from the engine to the body and frame. You can never have enough grounds.
Lol. Not that way at all. I'll go grab a new battery cable and then some new grounds.
Ran a 2/0 cable from the negative terminal to the engine (found where to ground was supposed to go). Also ran a smaller cable from the negative terminal to the core support where the battery cable was previously.
Went to start it and holy crap.. the starter works AMAZING! I did replace the starter in the midst of all this but prior to me swapping cables the starter still struggled, now its like a modern car. PO had so much hokey crap going on its amazing. I have a centech harness waiting in the box, just need some time and i'll be able to get some peace of mind.
I love the sound of new battery cables doing their job...
But hate the smell of burning insulation in the morning!
Glad you got that sorted. You can clearly see that the lone engine ground was woefully undersized for it's task (spinning the starter and engine) and finally just melted to smithereens.
But hey, the ground to the core support was wicked strong.
You headlights and horn were well represented!
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