Hot Start Problems
by Mike Harbour
A lot of us at some time or another have experienced problems with the solenoid on a Chevrolet starter not working when it gets hot. This is caused by the high amperage required to engage the Chevy solenoid. The problem is compounded by headers and high ambient temperatures. I like to head off these problems by installing my own hot start kit from the get go when building a rod. Many kits are available to do this in the price range of $35-$75. For the price of a $15 Ford remote mounted starter solenoid you can do the same thing yourself.
Mount the Ford starter solenoid in a convenient location between the battery and the starter. I located the one on my 38 Chevy coupe under the floorboard on the passenger side since I have the battery mounted in the rear of the passenger side fender. That way I can use the shortest battery cables possible and the extra solenoid is out of view.
Attach the + battery cable (along with any other wires that would normally be attached to the large post of the Chevy starter) to the large terminal on the Ford solenoid which is next to the start switch terminal.
Remove the wire from the small starter switch terminal on the Chevy starter solenoid and attach it to the corresponding starter switch terminal (usually labeled 'S') on the Ford solenoid. Next, a jumper needs to be placed from the large battery cable terminal to the small starter switch terminal on the Chevy starter solenoid. I simply flatten out a short piece of 3/8" copper tubing and drill a 7/16" and a 3/16" hole in it to serve this purpose.
Finally, purchase a battery cable with a 3/8" lug on each end and attach it from the other large terminal of the Ford solenoid to the large terminal on the Chevy Solenoid where you removed the original battery cable and attached the jumper. If you have an original point type distributor, then you can attach the 16 ga. wire that goes to the coil terminal on the Ford solenoid.
You can purchase a Ford solenoid with this extra terminal if you plan on doing this or this wire can be simply attached to the large terminal that goes to the starter. Don't attach it to the battery side or the engine will continue to run with the switch turned off! Having the start circuit wired in this fashion can serve several purposes other than just eliminating a hot start problem.
You now have a place away from the heat of the starter to attach power taps such as alternator leads, amplifiers, fan relays, etc. You also have a more convenient location to attach a remote starter switch for bumping over the engine. Also, a 12 ga. wire is no longer needed in the start switch circuit. Other pluses are that the Ford solenoid takes much less amperage to engage than the Chevy solenoid (which can burn out the neutral safety switches of most aftermarket shifters) and the cable on the Chevy solenoid is no longer HOT at all times eliminating the need to remove the battery cable to replace the starter. Although this is a good idea anyway.
If any one has any questions or comments regarding this installation feel free to e-mail me. Please put "hot start problems" in the subject line as I quickly delete mail if I think its from a 'spammer'. :o)
Mike Harbour
