I posted about this before and thought I solved the issue. Maybe not. I have a 1968 FB with a 69 6.6L 400 under the hood. We were having some heat issues with the starter. We put an HEI wrap around the starter to protect it from heat (it is close to exhaust manifolds). That solved the issue on shorter drives, but when we take the car on much longer drives 30 minutes+, and we stop somewhere, and get back in to leave the starter is sluggish. It will start but it takes a second and it is a very slow wind. Cold starts are perfect. Fires right up strong. Anyone have an opinion or experience wrapping the headers/manifold with header/exhaust wrap to keep the heat off the starter, or do you think there is another issue? What am I missing?

Thanks in advance,
Jake

I had the same issue. It could be a number of reasons, any of them a somewhat simple to fix.
1. Your starter may be due for a rebuild
2. If your heat wrap didn't work, it may be your solenoid. There is an article out there somewhere that suggests to replace the large spring in the solenoid with a different rate one. I did that one mine and the problem went away.
3. Your timing might be too much advanced, that would cause the same issue, hard to turn over when hot. Back off your timing 2-4 degrees to see if it goes away.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will go through these from least costly first, and work my way through until it is resolved.
Appreciate the response.

I used a 1000 CA battery and 1 gauge battery cables. A lot of us have the slow cranking issue and I am more convinced it’s something with Pontiac motors and not the starter

Bob's your uncle on this one. High CCA battery and either 1 gauge, or like I ran ZERO gauge cables. Have not had a hot start issue since using a 20 year old factory rebuilt starter.

even Chevy has the hot start problem, the wrap could make it worse as it holds the heat in as it builds up. I have used this fix on every car that I have had this problem on and it fixed it, I don't use this kit I just get the parts and do my own, but at least you can get the idea. Also like the others have said use a battery with the highest CCA and the bigest battery cable you can fit, when it comes to electrical bigger is better

http://www.madelectrical.com/catalog/st-1.shtml

.

Thanks everyone. I have already replaced the battery and the positive battery cable accordingly. Both new and as robust as can be. I checked out the kit and oddly enough it claims it will not fix the issue that I am having. I will take your word for it though, as experience is the best barometer.

Don’t forget to beef up the neg cable too. The starter current flows in a circuit

Jake,
Do we know anything about the starter itself? Has it been rebuilt, swapped out for a rebuilt starter?

I recommend you take the starter to your local "Auto Electric service company". Have him check it out and get and estimate for rebuilding it if it's necessary. Stock alternators, starters are made in bulk overseas for cheap. The parts in them are "not worth the powder to blow em to hell"!

The serviceman can boost the performance and eliminate some of issues you have.

Make sure the starter does not make contact with any hot metal parts. I doubt wrap will do anything.

I bought a AGM Battery from Costco. That sucker packs a punch!

The starter kit looks like the one used in the 65 Mustang. The electric design is a little old. This would make your electric system better but II doubt it will fix the over heating.

Anyone ever find a compatible mini-starter for a Pontiac engine?

I have a Chevy 350 gave me problems like this and found you could hook up a newer model mini starter (intended for newer car with Chevy 350) which has more torque - and that has worked great for a about 4yrs now for me.

Yes, a friend has the one offered by Ames performance engineering in his 67 goat and 68 firebird and never has problems. The only 2 main differences are the looks and the sound when starting. I am more of a stock type guy lately and would make the stock setup work properly but to each their own.

I had same issues. I replaced the battery and no better. Replaced the starter and no issues since. Heat makes a tired starter... more tired.