The starter may be getting hot as you drive because your headers probably go right past it. When GM starters get hot, they turn very slowly, then when it sits and cools down it works well again. Try fabbing up a heat shield for the starter.

My suggestion may not sit well with some but it needs to be said. Quality fuel and superior synthetics go a long way to improved performance and easier starting if everything is in working condition. It only takes one part of the list of stuff that is needed and a simple thing like starting a car can go wrong and it's a miserable day - all day.

The starter solenoid is overheating. Very common on small block Chevy's . Ford put their starter solenoids up on the fender away from the exhaust. Either buy a "heavy duty" starter and solenoid, or install a heat shield between your headers and the starter or wrap your headers. My 82 pickup had the same problem after installing headers. I bought a heavy duty starter and never had problems after.

if you are trying to say that the starter drags like the battery is low when the engine is warm then it is heat soak in the starter very common on gm v/8s with headers. you need to fabricate a heat sheild to deflect some of the heat away from the starter.

if it cranks a long time at normal speed when warm but fires almost immediately after sitting 4 hours I'd blame the carb. if it runs on after shutting key off when hot but shuts off immediately cold I'd blame the carb. also make sure initial timing is about 10.

When the engine is warm, there could still be some compressed air/fuel in one of the cylinders that the starter would have to overcome.

lots of times this is how a starter going bad acts like

77 camaro, brand new 350 crate motor about 1,500s miles on it. Has a new highrise aluminum intake, new distributor, headers/carb, exhaust, water pump, fuel pump and battery are a year old. All the electrical/most lines are original.

So my question is, why does my engine trickle on or have a horrible start up, if my engine is warm? If the engine has been sitting for 4 hours plus then it's fine. But if im running errands, it is just unreliable. Anyone have suggestions on what it COULD be?

Even with the old engine, nothing new on it, it would be a poor start up if the engine was warm. Im thinking electrical??