Hot engine, Charger doesn't want to crank. What's going on here?

[Photon440]

I had a big block ford that wouldn't turn over when it got hot. It spun easily when cold. I replaced the starter and the problem was gone.

 

[cruiser]

Seems like the place to look first since this is when the problems started (pun intended lol).

Call the rebuilder of the starter and tell them the issue. Could be something internal. I'm guessing you are wanting to keep the car correct with original parts?

Yeah, trying to keep it correct and original.

 

[rikkitik]

You might invest in a VOM (volt/ohm meter). Check voltage at battery during crank, should not drop below 10.4v. If it doesn't drop to 10.8 -11.5, it may suggest a resistance or ground issue. You should see a reasonable drop in voltage during crank. Make sure you have a good engine ground wire/strap. Check voltage at starter during crank attempt. Write all the numbers down. It will help the rebuilder with troubleshooting.
You might think about doing the same checks, cold vs hot, as well. To see what, if anything, changes.

 

[SlinktRR]

Been there, a million times...100% sure it is heat soak. Stock starters sound cool but no bueno with headers. If you have headers it's not stock anyways. Just get a dakota mini starter from o'reilly's or a fancy one from mancini. I run the fancy one and am very happy (power master xs). So easy to get to as well, changing a stock starter with headers is a nightmare!

 

[Fran Blacker]

If your going to shows being judged probably want a stock starter. If just showing for fun I'd go mini starter.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

Same exact symptoms for my car. It was the starter as others have said. Two things fixed mine and give me peace of mind. Mini starter from Napa auto (for a dodge Dakota) and upsized my smaller size 24 battery to a big block rated size 27. Even with the mini starter sometimes after heat soak the smaller battery would struggle. After going with the size 27 no more issues.

 

[cruiser]

You might invest in a VOM (volt/ohm meter). Check voltage at battery during crank, should not drop below 10.4v. If it doesn't drop to 10.8 -11.5, it may suggest a resistance or ground issue. You should see a reasonable drop in voltage during crank. Make sure you have a good engine ground wire/strap. Check voltage at starter during crank attempt. Write all the numbers down. It will help the rebuilder with troubleshooting.
You might think about doing the same checks, cold vs hot, as well. To see what, if anything, changes.

Good advice - thanks.

 

[SlinktRR]

Same exact symptoms for my car. It was the starter as others have said. Two things fixed mine and give me peace of mind. Mini starter from Napa auto (for a dodge Dakota) and upsized my smaller size 24 battery to a big block rated size 27. Even with the mini starter sometimes after heat soak the smaller battery would struggle. After going with the size 27 no more issues.

I agreed with this. I also did the size 27 battery with 800 cca. Kind of overkill but if you keep it on the battery tender it never dies, and engine starts on first shot every time, hot or hotter.