Having trouble figuring out why my SB stroker is hard to start after driving. Here are the details:

After cruising in my Cuda SB stroker the engine barely turns over when I attempt to restart. After sitting for 30 or 40 minutes it starts fine. Engine is dyno rated at 458hp/497torque . 9:5-1 comp ratio. All new parts . Temperature around 175 to 180 while cruising. New Powermaster starter with heat wrap rated for engines to 13-1 comp ratio.Equipped with headers. I'm thinking maybe timing issue (current timing is 18 initial; 16 mechanical, all in by 3100 rpm) or maybe install a remote solenoid? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

(1) seperate the dist pickup zigzag pull apart connector & retry (dont let the male tip of the body half of the connector touch ground!) (2) have a helper hold the key to "crank" you check the voltage at the starter large "batt" terminal. (3) put a torque wrench/1&1/4 socket on the crank bolt & check turning torque. Might very well be hot soak in the starter (heat shield needed). EDIT missed that you have a heat wrap, maybe try another starter even a "regular" one from your stash just for a test to pin this down.

Digital voltmeter required
not the one from harbor freight either

What is the standing voltage of the battery before the cold start
Whats is the voltage while its running?
Heat soak the motor
While monitoring the voltage at the battery try and start the car
What is the voltage?

Thank you. I will give it a shot this weekend

Very much appreciate the advice

If you believe the issue could be timing related, you can do a real quick test to help prove it:

Duplicate the issue...Get it warm to the point where it acts up.

Then, when you confirmed it's hard to crank, jump out, pull the coil wire out of the cap terminal, ground it to prevent any arcing, and then see how it cranks.

If it cranks considerably easier with the coil wire pulled, then that is a reasonably decent clue less initial timing might take care of the problem.

If it does not crank easier with the coil wire pulled, the issue most likely lies somewhere else. Heat related resistance/voltage drop in the starting system or wiring, or similar.

This is backyard hot rodder kind of stuff, but it usually works.

hth, good luck.

Sounds like a plan. I'll give it a shot this weekend

Thank you