Camden6

I have a ‘71 Cutlass, it also has a hard time restarting after its hot. My Idiot lights turn on, Generator and Hot lights turn on. I’ve replaced the thermostat, upgraded but still the same. I’ve read the comments from earlier people with the same problem. Where
do I start? New battery cables? ( my battery is brand new.) Coil? Condenser? My neighbor who has a ‘70s El Camino thinks it’s a choke/ throttle problem. I don’t think so. It cranks but won’t fully start. Any advice is definitely appreciated!

Camden6

I have a ‘71 Cutlass, it also has a hard time restarting after its hot. My Idiot lights turn on, Generator and Hot lights turn on. I’ve replaced the thermostat, upgraded but still the same. I’ve read the comments from earlier people with the same problem. Where
do I start? New battery cables? ( my battery is brand new.) Coil? Condenser? My neighbor who has a ‘70s El Camino thinks it’s a choke/ throttle problem. I don’t think so. It cranks but won’t fully start. Any advice is definitely appreciated!

coppercutlass

Are you running return lines on the fuel system could be vapor lock. My pontiac did the same thing .

leftlaneonly

Heat shield missing at starter maybe....bad ground

KW5413

Yep....check starter for heat saturation. I have issues with my '70 Nova. My '76 Cutlass has a heat wrap around the starter because of close proximity to the headers.

Coastie

I had a 72 Dart that had this issue. I ended up ditching the stock air breather and went for a pod or CAI set up on the little 1bbl. Made all the difference allowing the carb to cool and not boil. This was in the coastal alabama heat btw.

Schurkey

WHEN? With the key turned? When the engine has been running for an hour? After you park it for the day?

Does it crank at full speed, or does it crank slowly? What does "won't fully start" mean?

If it's cranking full-speed, your battery is OK, your cables are OK, your starter is OK. Problem is somewhere else--ignition or carb, most likely.

What ignition system? What carb? Does the choke work CORRECTLY? Does the accelerator pump work CORRECTLY? Is there fuel in the float bowl when you try to start it?

If it cranks slowly, you're back to battery/cables/starter with a remote possibility of internal engine damage leading to heavy drag on the crankshaft.

Need a better description with less ambiguity.

Fun71

If it cranks, as in the starter turns, it's not a battery cable, ground, or heat shield issue.

rocketraider

1) Does car start normally cold?

2) Does starter turn at normal crank speed? If not, electrical issues. Check starter, battery cables and grounds.

3) Is it attempting to fire? If not, ignition issues. Check distributor and coil. Also base timing to be sure it's not too far advanced.

4) What grade fuel are you using? Lot of gasoline blends now are high volatile and absolutely unsuitable for carbureted engines. Try a different brand.

Schurkey

Correct if it cranks at normal speed. Not correct if it cranks slowly.

RetroRanger

do you give it any gas when trying to start it hot ?

oldcutlass

The idiot lights are supposed to do that. When was the last time you tuned your engine up?