72 f250 won't start when hot

[candys72]

My 72 f250 starts when cold and runs ok. after driving for any distance and turning it off it won't restart for about an hour. I've checked all the connections and have power. No drain when key is off. When I try to restart, sometimes nothing, other times sounds like a bad starter. Eventually restarts like nothing is wrong except it runs rough and dies if I don't keep the rpm up. Battery is fine since I fixed the dome light short. Any suggestions? Solenoid or starter? Gremlins? (wrong make)

[fordman]

This is common hot starter syndrome. Make a heatshield and put ut between starter and exhaust.

[ToughOldFord]

Sometimes a dying coil will act up when it's hot and work okay cold.

[FORDification]

Another possibility is vapor lock. That is, the fuel in the lines is reaching the boiling point due to it being too close to the engine block and getting overheated. Usually just pulling the steel line away from the block will help with prevent the line from soaking in so much heat.

The problem is sometimes compounded by a previous owner removing the steel line from the fuel pump to the carburetor and replacing it was a rubber line, which tends to soak up heat faster than a steel line. Removing the rubber line and replacing it with the proper steel line (and making sure you don't have it resting against or very close to the engine) should help.

[DDAN1130]

I was having the exact problem. I had a pertronix flamethrower III coil laying around that I hadn't installed yet. I did and it jumped to life like you wouldn't believe. They can get little failure points that don't identify themselves until it gets hot and things expand. If you turn it off and immediately open the hood you can (a lot of times) hear the gas bubbling and hissing in the carb if it's boiling over. May double check timing too but if it seems to run good and start easy cold it's probably ok.

good luck!
dan

[Mancar1]

I had that same problem. Turned out it was my starter getting heat soaked. Was kinda $$$, but I installed a good mini starter and no more problem of that nature since
I will add that it could also be what has been mentioned besides the starter.
Keep on Trucking.....John

[Dalton Sexton]

I was having this problem. Turned out to be timing. Engine struggled to turn over and wouldn't start when hot. I had my son turn over the engine while I slowly turned my distributor counter clockwise. A couple of degrees and it was spinning like a champ.

[Busboy]

I would spend 5.00 and replace the ignition condenser. They're notorious for failing after they get hot. I assume the engine cranks ok but won't run, you weren't too clear on that.