My car starts great when cold, but after it warms up it won't start at all. It cranks just fine after it's hot...just won't start. Any ideas or redirection to prior posts are great. I have a 1972 cutlass with a fresh rebuild and brand new distributor ( standard points model).

 

When it gets hot, do you have spark?

Pat

 

If it is hard to start when hot, there are many things that cause this. I would start with the basics, and go thru my tune and recheck carb and make sure choke is pulling off. Also re-torque intake and carb bolts. What is your dwell, timing, idle speed set to?

If it won't start at all, then u need to check the big 3, air, fuel and spark. That is what is needed for a car to run.

 

Coil ?

 

No spark, posible coil or condenser
sparks, flooding or no fuel

 

What Pat said. We need more info to provide a useful answer. Since the engine turns over (presumably at the correct speed) the battery is fine. Next thing to check is spark and carb (fuel and choke). Is this a stock carb or an aftermarket? What type of choke?

 

Does it eventually start after a few seconds more of cranking?

 

Thanks for all the input and sorry for late reply...damn work thing getting in the way again. I added a new coil and resistor- so far seems to have done it
The engine was a new rebuild with edelbrock performer cam, intake and carb.
I will hook up the electric choke this weekend, recheck the torque on manifold bolts and god willing be done for awhile.


Thanks again to all for the input, great forum

 

"I will hook up the electric choke this weekend"

If the electric choke was not hooked up, was it adjusted to stay full open?
If not, then engine was flooding when hot and I suspect problem not in coil.

 

Great info, overlooked that one. Well, the coil was original anyway and the $40 was cheap insurance for my teenager that will undoubtedly commandere (sp.) the car soon

 

Working on points and carborated cars has me overlooking things that I forget after so many years.
If your re-install the old coil and find it was not the trouble, keep it along with a known good set of points and a condenser in the car. I always did that on point cars.
For 70 and 80 GM HEI cars, I kept a spare rotor.
For 70 and 80 Fords, ignition module
Don't know what to carry for 90s to 2010 cars.
Don't own any 2010 and up cars.

 

AAA and a credit card with a large limit!

 

Find a good body shop before you let a teenager drive it, too!
Not to mention good insurance.

 

Funny. unfortunately I am the body shop too. Any kid turning wrenches is all good with me

 

Most of these original coils are toast by now and should be replaced, even for just some peace of mind.