F150 cranks slowly when warm

[Shran]

I've been experiencing this for a couple months. My '86 F150 (EFI 302, T18) starts fine and runs great until you shut it off. If you try to start it again before it cools off completely, it turns over very slowly and barely starts, but again runs great when it's started. I have not done anything to it since long before this started happening so I am kind of leaning toward low battery voltage or something like that since the battery is probably 4-5 years old. Anybody have a better idea? Don't think it's the alternator since it only does this when it's warm, and the headlights/dash lights aren't dim or anything.

 

[1badexplorer]

You could have a dirty connection on a ground wire also

 

[jerad188]

do you have headers on it? ever since i put headers on my 77 f150 its hard starting to when warm, the headers run very close to the starter and heats it up.. at least thats my only explanation i came up with, but now it does it cold to so im gonna try a new starter and see if that helps.

 

[Jim Oaks]

The starter on the 302 in my Ranger use to crank real slow after shutting it off on the trail. FInally got pissed off on day and put a new one on. Cured the problem. It was just a crappy starter.

I'd say make sure you have good connections and then start looking at the starter being the problem. It would be nice if you knew someone that would loan you one to swap out just to see if the problem goes away.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

My dually does this to.

Its the headers running close to the Starter and heating it up, just like jim said.

later,
Dustin

 

[Shran]

Cool, thanks guys. I am planning to pull the motor out of the old girl and reseal it since I am leaking up to 1.5 quarts of oil every 500 miles now, so I'll probably replace the starter while I'm in there. I have a spare that I'll carry with me for now.

 

[Pt_Ranger_V8]

you could see about wrapping the starter (or the headers in that area) with some heat wrap.