I transplanted a 1989 Camaro 305 into my 1991 Firebird when the original engine blew. The new engine starts and runs fine when it is cold, but after the engine heats up, it will not restart. The starter seems to try real hard, but it can't crank the engine. I don't think it's cables. If I keep trying, sometimes it will turn over just fine but I generally have to wait an hour or so. When the enigne cools down, it cranks and starts as if there was never any problem.

 

I had this issue on my 1989 Camaro RS, check all of your fusible links. my car wouldnt start at gas stations, etc it was quite embarassing at times.

 

Starter needs a heat shield.

 

I had a similar problem with a 1969 Camaro with a carburetor. I finally went to a shop and was told to change the timing. I let them do it and no more problem.

 

I'd think if the timming was too far advanced it would be an issue cold also.

 

It's hard to diagnose because I can never tell when it is going to happen and might be in the middle of nowhere when it does. It's stick. I try to stop on a hill so I can jump it if it won't start on its own. I suppose a link is a possibility. When I turn the key, the starter gives half a crank then seems to give up. It's like the final gasp of a dead battery but the battery is fine. If a link opened, I suppose nothing at all would happen when I turned the key again until the link closed. I will test that although sometimes I recall the starter grunts then decides to spin. That would not be consistent with a link. Where would I find the links in the starter circuit?

 

That's what I thought too but it starts and runs well when cold and keeps going after the PCM takes over. He might not be telling me the real secret, but whatever he did works.

 

Your starter solenoid is getting hot, you will continue with this problem till you put a heat shield over it. I would also suggest replace the solenoid, but you will more than likely need a heat shield over the solenoid/starter. That starter is inexspensive.

 

there are 3 i believe right next to the soleniod which is probably where the heat sink is coming from being so close to the exhaust. i had this exact problem you described and i had a mechanic go over the car for nearly a month and replace every possible ignition part including the lock cylinder because it was improperly diagnosed as the anti theft system (vats).

diagnosing over the net is not an exact science but if i were you I would certainly start there since replacing/removing them right near the starter is relatively cheap if not free if you are doing it yourself. i would try that before messing with the timing or buying parts like a new starter

(its a major pain in the a** to remove on the third gen fbody, trust someone who spent hours replacing starters in his 89 RS until the wee hours of the morning just to be able to get to work and have the same problem once the car was shut off in the parking lot, because i too believed it was a starter issue or solenoid issue from heat sink. also let me point out that its not likely with a stock exhaust that heat on the starter itself would cause this. i had a stock starter on my 86 Monte Carlo SS which had a 87 Camaro TPI engine in it with edelbrock headers and hooker exhaust that was SO hot it melted the carpet and i never once had a starting issue, however about 4-6" of the wiring including those links were inside of a metal sleeve shielding them from the heat)