Weird problem with car

[dspaulding70]

I have no trouble starting my 440 charger but once I drive it for a few minutes, if I stop the engine and then I try to restart, it will not turn over.

After a few hours, it turns over and starts. 

Had battery checked and it is perfect.

Thoughts?

[BigBlackDodge]

Will it turn over if you crossed the starter relay with a screw driver?


BBD

[nh_mopar_fan]

Headers?

[Stretch]

Headers? If so, overheating the starter? Does it crank hard? Is it vapor locking? Need more details please.

[nh_mopar_fan]

That's what I was thinking. If it's headers, it sounds like you could be cooking the starter.

[dspaulding70]

I do have Headman headers.  This is a real problem because I cannot ever stop the car unless I am ready to stay put for a while.

What options do I have.  I have not had this problem before and I have had this starter in the car for years.

[Tilar]

You could find someone to do a starter draw test to be sure, but I think everyone is right on with the starter getting too hot.

[elacruze]

If the car has not had the starter out for a long time, you may try a simple test to see if the ground between the starter body and mounting surface is good.

Use a 12v test light, clip the lead to the starter body, touch the probe to battery negative and have somebody (preferably yourself with a remote button, and a helper with fire extinguisher standing by) crank the motor. If the light illuminates, you have a ground issue-then you can move the probe to different points along the ground path until it stays dark to find the poor connection. I've seen a couple times where a loose/oily/rusty starter connection where it's mounted has caused high resistance and fail or intermittent cranking particularly when hot.

Additionally, if you haven't checked your timing lately do so, be sure something isn't retarding (like vacuum advance hose cracked/off/stuck mechanism) and causing more exhaust heat than before.

[billschroeder5842]

Headers will really jack of a starter especially if it is an old, original model as they are heat sensitive.

I have one of those smaller, high torque starters that I have wrapped in a heat shield and have had no problems.

[sparkybr74mr]

I had the same problem on a 66 Nova SS (headers), and my 70 Charger would have problems starting after it got hot too (would drag and eventually not start). I changed the old starter out on the Charger for a newer starter that I believe that fits on the newer Dodge trucks from autozone and I can't right off hand remember the part number, there are plenty of threads on the swap in this forum. The new starter is smaller but packs a lot more punch on starting like the high dollar high torque mini starters they sell on Jegs and Summitt. Don't waste your money. The autozone starter comes with a warranty and has plenty of torque for my 440.

[sparkybr74mr]

Found the post I used for the starter if it is indeed your starter that is the problem
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The auto zone part# is 17181 its 79.99 core is 47.00 = 126.99 you get the core $$ back when you return your old starter so the starter cost you 79.99  This starter is for a 95 dodge pick up 1500 5.9 and fit my 440 great and works great and life time warranty   Alan

[XS29L]

I used a heat shield from a '86 dodge trk 318. It clears the header on my 440.

[nh_mopar_fan]

You could go with a heat shield. I went with a Mopar high torque starter. Problem solved.