Thread: 79 camaro starting problem

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Hey Dudes,
I have a 79 Chevy Camaro with a 305. I have had nothing but problems with starting this car up. I go through starters like crazy. The aftermarkets only last a couple of months, and the ACDelcos only last 8 months tops. I don't know what is wrong with this car, I am about ready to drive it off a cliff. I've tried using shims and that only makes it worse. The starters work fine at first, after a while they make a lot of loud noise, then they don't engage at all and just spin. I have had a new fly wheel put in and the problem still exists. Please help. Thanks, Steve Naset.

Maybe try a high torque starter from Summit or Jegs. They have a life time warrentee, and should help I would think. I am no expert, but it might be worth a try.

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As far as I know, yes. I bought the car used, and I'm not sure of the cars history. I believe it is all stock.

does it stumble when its cranking over.
you should check your base timing

that has happened to me many times

Are you possibly omitting the bracket on the front to the block? They have a tendency to twist and self-destruct with out them.

Thanks, and yes it does take a long time to crank over and it does make a lot of noise when trying to start. I have not done a compression test. What is your advice?

Thanks Man,
Thats way cool. I'm writing everything down and I will go over everything you said with my mechanic. I really appreciate your help! Thanks a lot,
Steven C. Naset.

By the way,
What you said about the tune up and Carb. I recently did a tune up with help from a friend, and I had a mechanic rebuild the carb. The problem still exists but now that I think of it, a while back a mechanic friend of mine said that he thinks I am running on seven cilynders. It could need a valve job, could that also be the source of my problem?

a leak down test could tell if a dead cylinder due to lack of compression, which can be done with the correct NPT fittings and an air hose, and put as much PSI in as you get on a compression test.