Q about starter heat shields

[5.0 Fiend]

Why would advanced timing do this? Are you saying that if the advanced timing was the culprit, that it would still only happen when hot? Would the answer be that when the engine is turning over it has to work harder because the compression and power stroke are getting pushed closer together? (meaning that when the engine is trying to compress, the advanced spark wants to start the power stroke thus causing strain for the weak stock starter)?

[82 GT]

First of all, every guy that works on his own car should at least have a timing light.
If your timing is too high, your engine will struggle to turn over even when cold and damn near impossible when hot.
My guess is that your starter is getting heat soaked now that you have shorties and I'm assuming flowmaster exhaust.
Get rid of that big bulky starter and buy a mini starter for a '94GT.
I had this same problem with starters when I got my flowmaster exhaust and shorties. Since I switched to a mini starter, my problem is gone. I'm willing to bet that you have the same problem.
Trust me, get rid of that antique starter you have.
I can tell you what wires you need to switch around if you decide to go with a mini starter from a newer mustang.

[rwhite65]

First, the mini starter is nice, bought one out of the junk yard for $35 and it now rest in the 65.

I can not explain as nearly as good as these guys as to why the advanced timing makes it start slow, but I can tell you this. If it is advanced to far, it will do it when the car is hot vs. cold.
Ryan

[5.0 Fiend]

Yeah, I guess I'll need a timing light, where do you point the gun at after you hook it up? The harmonic balancer? I never noticed any numbers on it.
Next up, what year stangs had the mini starters? 94-95?
As for my exhaust, it came on the car when I bought it, the headers are rusted, so they must be old, (did 84's come stock with headers?), then I've got the standard exhaust going down by the front wheels where it connects to 60 inch six sided glasspack chrome shielded side dumps.

[82 GT]

I know for sure the '94-95's had the mini starter...they may have started in '92 but I'm not positive about that.
It's hard to see the numbers on the balancer...especially after road grime and gunk gets on there.
Buy some timing tape for about $6 and put it on your balancer. It goes all the way around the balancer and the numbers are much easier to read/see(that's what I did).
Yes, you point the light at the balancer. There should be some type of pointer attached to the timing cover.
I would get the mini starter first and see how it starts after that...and then mess with the timing.
So...set the timing at "zero". The spark plug method you're using now should get you in the ballpark.....get a starter(which should cure your problem)...and then set your timing with a light to get it where you want it.
I'm willing to bet anything that your old starter is getting "heat soaked". The mini starter will gve you more space between the exhaust pipes and the starter.

[82 GT]

BTW, where exactly are you in "central Pa." How far are you from Danville?

[5.0 Fiend]

Originally Posted by 82 GT

BTW, where exactly are you in "central Pa." How far are you from Danville?

I'm about 20 miles north of State College (Penn State), if I'm not mistaken Danville is fairly close to Knoebles (Elysburg), so I bet I'm about 60-70 miles away from you.
Also, Ive seen the timing tape, is there a wrong way to install it, (i.e. do the numbers have to be at a certain spot on the balancer, or does the timing light flash out the number no matter how you installed the tape)?

[rwhite65]

sorry I can not remember for sure what years, but the mini starter came on the 92 93ish and up ford trucks with a 302.
Ryan