DodgeCoronet.com

I have a 1958 Coronet with a 325 poli motor. The battery is pretty new and holds a charge. The car starts great off a cold start, turns over for 2-4 seconds and catches with regularity. If you run it a few minutes and shut it down it will restart with a noticeable lag. If you drive for a few minutes or more, a few miles or more, it won't restart. Wait an hour, it starts right up again.
I had an elderly gentleman at a show tell me that he had the same problem with a similar model Dodge in his past. His opinion is that there is inadequate shielding between the motor and the starter solenoid. Over time it is exposed to too extreme of heat and it is hard on the starter motor.
I am no mechanic, but I can do simple stuff. If the solenoid is indeed the problem is it likely the starter will need to be replaced also?

If some brothers have opinions based on Coronet experience or otherwise let me know your thoughts?

Rob in Seattle

Try a load tester on the battery. I had similar problems with my 65 coronet. I put an optima battery in it and never had the problem again.

Have the coil tested

coo. thanks

First questions. The noticeable lag, is the starter motor lagging or the engine lagging. And when the car won't start is the starter motor going or not? First we need to figure out what is having trouble.

I would first check for bad connections that are getting warm. Do you have a voltmeter?

You know you might be able to convince me to take a look at it for you this weekend depending on where you are located. I'm in Tacoma starting Saturday night for an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) conference for the week. We are supposed to know something about electricity................

Awesome suggestions. The starter turns slower and slower during the lag, as if it is quickly draining juice. The battery recovers fine with time.