I did a search on this forum and found many hot start problem posts...but they seemed to have conflicting answers that did not actually give me a clear indication of what my problem might be.

I have a 68 Firebird 400 which was not running when I got it (gas delivery issue that I fixed), in the past week I replaced the intake manifold, carb, plugs, wires, and added an HEI distributor. After having to jump it to get it to start, I set the timing and it idles great. Because of the battery issue, I replaced the battery and terminals (which would not tighten).

Now... my issue is this: After I replaced the battery/terminals, the car started without effort on the first crank. I ran the car for about 60 seconds and then I turned it off. About 4 min later I went to start the car and nothing, zipo... not even a single click. So I imagined I had better unhook the battery to recheck connections.

After checking to make sure connections were right (which they were) I decided to go to bed for the night. This morning, after getting every form of advice from every employee of autozone, I decided to have my neighbor (a shadetree mechanic) take a look at the issue. I hooked the battery back up and the car started effortlessly. After letting it run for a while, I shut it down. Again, nothing on retry.

So, answers I read say everything from starter, starter solenoid, boiling fuel lines, vapor lock, distributor, vacuum advance and timing. Autozone "behind the counter" group also threw in external alternator regulator, fuel filter and bad spark plugs.

So what I am looking for is the most probable cause...so I do not spend a fortune and week trying to solve the issue. Thank anyone who answers...

If the symptom is that the starter does not operate with the key, look to the starter solenoid. Starter heat soak generally takes much more than just a few minutes of operation. Also check to be sure the starter is bolted down tightly and that battery to frame and frame to engine and frame to body grounds are good.

None of the fuel, spark, alternator or other issues will cause the starter to not crank the engine over.

I know a Dan Weaver in Oakland County...any chance it's you?

Again, heat soak takes more than a few minutes. You have high resitatnce somewhere along the ling.

Electrical switches can generate a lot of heat when the contacts are marginal. The solenoid could be getting hot because of this. It gets hot and the marginal contacts are not efficient enough to conduct enough power to turn the starter. It cools down and then they are 'marginal' again. You could be describing a solenoid on it's last legs....and fading.......

make sure that all your connections for starter and battery are clean and tight. (positive and negative).

More details on what you have done so far would help

check your battery for charge next time if non them it the alternator or the ignition switch is not completely off and draining the battery.

68 400 ho 4 spd to go.

Tap the starter with a hammer. If its the solinod then I would think a quick tap would make it start.

Also

Maybe check that your S termnal on the starter is getting 12 volts when the key is turned. I think you can get a starter button at Sears. Be very carfull when doing this.

I have seen this with corroded connection at the battery. Try twisting the connection and double check that the connections are tight at the batter/starter and the also the ground. I had ground that was not tight and gave me fits like this.

Good luck

I bet rohrt is correct. If you tap on the starter and hear a click, its sticking. I used to carry a small ball peen with me in my first Firebird. Headers toasted them all the time.
Oh remember he said tap not beat!