VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 1950 Chevy Coupe starter problem

I have a 1950 Chevy Styleline Coupe Delux with Powerglide. When I start the car cold it starts right up. If I drive it around, stop at a store then try to start it the starter is very slow and sluggish. The other day I drove it around then parked it in the garage and squirted some cold water on the starter and waited a couple of minutes. It started right up. So, it seems the problem is the starter performs fine when cold but not when warm. Any ideas on what the problem could be?
Thanks for your help
Birtch

Sounds like it's time for a complete starter rebuild.

That and new proper size battery cables is where I would begin.

Thanks for the input. As noted initially spraying cool water on the warm solenoid and starter to cool caused them to work fine when restarting. The other day I used some old foil backed sound insulation to cover the solenoid and starter then drove the car around until it was warm. I put it back in the garage and turned the engine off then hit the starter again. Started right up. So, it must have something to do with the heat affecting the solenoid or starter or both.

Heat makes electric motors less efficient. The ideas posted above are good ones.

It is expected that it won't work quite as well hot. Almost any deficiency in the starter or cables will show up worse when it is hot.

The solenoid can run out of copper on its switch contacts. Most often the symptom is just "click click" rather than running slow, but I have seen slow running also. Heat makes it worse because the metal bracket expands inside the solenoid and pulls them ever so slightly further away. These contacts should be inspected anytime there is starter trouble.

A starter with bad bushings may drag worse when hot (the armature is a tiny bit bigger due to heat expansion, and might start dragging on the pole pieces). The bushings should be inspected. Also the brushes. They could be wore out.

Heavy battery cables (as originally equipped) are necessary for best starting. In fact, too small cable is the most common problem on 6 volt starters.

Note that there is a new solenoid for sale in the parts for sale page.