Starting problem when 41 Continental warm

[Russ@Kiawah]

My '41 Lincoln Continental starts right up when cold.  However when it has warmed up, the engine cranks very slowly or not at all.  Any ideas?  Wrap starter motor with heat shield or.....?

 

Thanks so much for your help!  I am a newby and everything is a challenge but I am learning! 

[19tom40]

Check your battery for good condition. When cranking the engine, the battery voltage should not fall below 5.0 volts. If that is good, connect your voltmeter red or + lead to the terminal on the starter motor and crank the engine with ignition off. The meter should read 0.3Volts or lower. If the reading is higher,  move the red lead to the starter solenoid end of the cable and repeat the test. If the reading is not less than 0.3 move the lead to the other side of the solenoid and repeat the test. The meter should read less than 0.2V. If it is higher, replace the cable. If it is lower replace the solenoid.

 

Repeat the tests on the ground circuit by connecting the black or COM lead to the starter case and the red lead to the battery + terminal. The meter should read 0.1 Volts or lower. If not check your grounding cables.

[ralphnof49]

Make sure that the starter is attached squarely and not binding because of the attachment clip to the oil pan bolt pulling it when hot. That will cause your exact problem as it did to me.

[Ken/Alabama]

What's the condition of your starter??  If the commutator & brushes are dirty or burned it's going to cause a high resistance esp when hot.  Also replace the starter solenoid. Make sure grounds are good and all connections are clean and tight.  

[Tom_Overfield]

By all means make sure you have heavy cable from battery to selonid and from there to starter.  As long as your grounds are good and clean, it should start very easily, hot or cold. 12 volt cables are a no no on a 6 volt system.

 

Tom

Edited July 28, 2017 by Tom_Overfield
Additional info (see edit history)

[Russ@Kiawah]

Thanks to all of you who kindly offered your suggestions.  I have checked the obvious without a fruitful suggestions so she is headed to my mechanic next week along with copies of your responses.  Nice to know I am not in the alone!

 

Russ