69 calais with 472, car starts fine when cold, but after engine gets up to temp, starter seems to drag when i go to fire it up, kinda like a dead battery. I ve replaced and cleaned all electrical connections, new optima battery, powermaster alternator, voltage regulator and the starter is newer. Ive seen a couple of posts recomending 0-2 gauge battery cables, ive got them but have not changed out yet even though stock cables are good, also any thoughts on wrapping the starter with a heat shield, (thermo-tec) and is this normal for these old caddy starters, some one else said this was fairly common, thanks for the help

starter grounded properlyground cleaned

battery grounded properly
ground cleaned

i have 60 & 70's caddies never had that symptom not common

Hello.

Check that your ignition timing is right.
If the timing is wrong, you can have the symptoms you describe.
Like it have a bad battery with slow cranking, when hot. And when it is cold it is good again.

jolle.

Thanks, the cables are clean and everything is tight, but i will re-check and also check the timing as well

I had the same symptoms when the engine was warm.
It turns out I had advanced my timing too far (not knowing what I was doing of course..) before I realized what the problem was, it started to smoke!

Then it was dead.

I got a powermaster high torque starter to replace it, has no problem turning the high compression motor!

good luck figuring it out.

Changed the battery cables and cleaned the connections on the starter, seems to be better, thanks again

Also verify the ground straps from the engine to the frame and/or firewall are all in place. People forget that besides the battery cable ground, the engine also must be grounded to the body. If the ground cable is bolted to the engine, not the frame, you can have a weak ground. Keep in mind, the engine is mounted in rubber engine mounts so metal to metal grounding of the engine to body as well as frame is important.

How about the bushings/bearings? my own starter got stuck because bushing were worn -> direct short circuit
Then the whole end of the starter blow away...

In my experience, ruling out solenoid problem, bendix engagement and bad electrical connections, smacking the starter with a hammer is next on my list. Very common for the "brushes" to get stuck not fully engaging the commutator on the starter shaft. Occasionally a good whack will free them enough to generate enough contact to turn the starter. Rebuild or replacement is the only fix