Classic/Antique Car Repair: Hard Starting, little contact, bushings

Question
I have a 71 Pontiac with a 455.  Recently my car has had a hard time turning over to restart when it has warmed up.  I have put in a new battery with higher cranking power but it is the same result.  Once it has cooled down a little it turns over fine and will restart.  It is just after it has been running for a while and I go to restart it within 15 minutes of shutting it off.

Answer
Hi Steve:
The problem may not be your battery, but your starter. Usually when the bushings in a starter get warm, they shrink to a point that they have little contact. So, if it sound like the starter is dragging or sometimes it just clicks like the battery is dead, then your starter bushings are worn and you either need to have the starter rebuilt or buy a new one. Once the starter cool off, the bushings expand and have better contact. This will continue until they are so bad it won't turn over at all.