Today wasmy first real drive in the mustang, and it drove ok,but when I stopped to get gas, I couldn't get it to start back. It acted like it was a dead battery, but after waiting about 20 min, iot cranked again (I did have jumper cables attached to it though). Once I got to my destination, after I turned it off, I checked to see if it would start again, and it woulnd't. Again, it sounded as if the battery was low, the engine was barley turning over. When I came back about 10 min later, it sounded better, but still wouldn't start, and then about 2 hours later, it started just fine. My car does have long headers. Could they be overheating my starter?

 

What is your timing set at? If it is advanced a bit much it will act as you describe. The engine is essentially fighting itself by igniting early and keeping it from turning over. BTDT Try retarding it a bit and see if it helps.

 

Why would the timing issue clear up after it had cooled down?

 

I have the same issue.
5 minutes of being off or less it will start right up, and 30 minutes or later and it'll start right up, but anything in between the engine turns over for about 10 seconds before catching.
I'll try to play with the timing, does anyone else know anything about this?

 

Cargon, what you describe sounds different than St3mpy. It sounds like yours cranks over fine but take a bit to fire up. His has trouble turning over and sounds like a low battery.

St3mpy, I think it is a problem when hot and not cold because a hotter engine will burn quicker and build up cylinder pressure faster so it is fighting itself and keeping it from turning over. Do a google search to find a better explanation of the science behind it but those are the observed effect. That is not to say it couldn't be something else, but it sure sounds like the timing may be too far advanced.

Good luck!
Jeff

 

just a question/sugestion,,, do you have good volts at battery, running, still got water in radiator, any idea on temps of cooling system, have you pulled neg battery terminal while running to make sure basic electrical is good,,, just suggesting,,, at face value sounds like heat issue,,,,,, but as so often the case there might be something else going on,,,,, some times you can't figure out what's wrong,, but YOU CAN figure out what's right,,,,, stay in touch there's alotta info out here

 

Have the battery and alternator checked at AutoZone or some comparable parts house. Make sure you have a phenolic spacer under the carburetor and that your fuel lines are away from the block.

 

Timing, timing and more timing.

 

Ok, I'll check the timing. I have no idea what it's set at right now.

The alternator was the first thing I thought, becasue I thought my battery was dead, but then I remembered the day before I checked my volts and it was at 13.6 running, and about 12.2 off, so my alternator is working. And like I said,after sitting for a coupleofhours it turned over fine. There is a spacer under the carb, but speakign of the carb, it does leak like a b!tch. It's the autolite 2v. I have a holley 2v sitting around, but its really dirty, but I may clean it up and put it on.

 

That sounds like an overheated starter. If it were timing it'd hard start every time you went to start it, and would kickover and keep running(dieseling) after you turned it off